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Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love a healthy snack.

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 22, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 22, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A tropical fruit.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter A appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

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...

GUAVA

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.

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.

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But this isn’t just another ad blocker. AdGuard uses enterprise-grade filtering tools to remove everything from flashy banner ads to hidden video pre-rolls. It also offers advanced privacy protection, shielding your browsing activity from data collectors and trackers that follow you around the web. The result is faster load times, more peace of mind, and less junk cluttering your screen.

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It's been three decades since Marian Keyes' first Walsh sisters book was published, and we haven't had a TV series about them. It's bonkers, I know.

Ireland's monarch of contemporary fiction has beloved titles sitting on bookshelves worldwide, with the lives of Rachel, Anna, Claire, Maggie, and Helen Walsh meaning the world to dedicated readers since the '90s. Now, BBC series The Walsh Sisters finally intertwines their stories.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best TV shows of 2025, and where to stream them now

An exquisitely human and heartbreaking adaptation by showrunner Stefanie Preissner (Can't Cope, Won't Cope) and Kefi Chadwick (Rivals), The Walsh Sisters feels truly connected to Keyes' characters while standing on its own two feet. At its heart, Preissner and director Ian FitzGibbon have assembled some of Ireland's best to play Keyes' iconic Walsh sisters: Louisa Harland (Derry Girls) as Anna, Caroline Menton (Oddity) as Rachel, Danielle Galligan (House of Guinness, Shadow and Bone) as Claire, and Máiréad Tyers (Extraordinary, My Lady Jane) as Helen. Preissner herself plays Maggie.

A raw, authentic portrayal of sisterhood, addiction, grief, and mental health, The Walsh Sisters feels well overdue on our screens.

The Walsh Sisters expertly entwines multiple Marian Keyes books. Credit: BBC / Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Films / James Pierce

At just six episodes, it's impossible for The Walsh Sisters to cover all seven books in Keyes' series, no matter how expertly Preissner weaves several storylines together. At this series' core are Rachel's Holiday and Anybody Out There, books which centre Rachel's road through addiction and Anna's experience with grief, respectively. However, Preissner also pulls events from the books tracing Claire, Maggie, and Helen's lives with finesse, crafting one linear Walsh story.

Set in Dublin, The Walsh Sisters is a deeply human drama that treats life's happenings as monumental, however quiet, sudden, joyous, or mundane they may be. During a London preview screening of The Walsh Sisters, Keyes described how she approached writing the books involving the Walsh sisters:

"I feel, ultimately, we all go through life and terrible things happen to us — the sort of things that are meant to happen to other people. And in a way, that's what all the stories here are about," she said. "There are still people that we love and who love us, and there are still running jokes that will always give us some comfort. That kind of feeling of like, life will hurt us but we will survive it, and there are still things to be grateful and happy for and to love. That's kind of that's all I've ever tried to write."

And it's this all-too-recognisable feeling that The Walsh Sisters really captures.

The Walsh Sisters is a raw, authentic portrayal of sisterhood. Credit: BBC / Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Films / Enda Bowe

TV shows rarely harness the complicated tempest that is sisterhood with accuracy. Bad Sisters, Freeridge, Fleabag, and Grace and Frankie — when it comes to representations of sisterhood, these shows brilliantly present the messy confluence of misunderstanding, love, protectiveness, rage, and eye-rolling that make up this particular relationship. As Meera Navlakha wrote of sisterhood in Bridgerton for Mashable: "Sisters are partners in life and all that comes with it, against the rest and despite the noise."

Now, Keyes — she can write sisters. And thankfully, so can Preissner, who channels Keyes' characteristic empathy and charm into the ebbs and flows of the show's sisterly dialogue. Hard truths drop like an anvil, the lowest point of a conversation can be pulled up in an instant with an in-joke. There's a lot of blame, a lot of "this is what you always do." It's absolutely unhealthy arguing, and it's absolutely realistic. And in the hands of this talented cast and their seamless chemistry, The Walsh Sisters shines with sibling complexity, through grief, divorce, addiction, miscarriages, and more of life's shittiest curveballs.

Featured Video For You Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley reveal the real surprise in 'Hamnet'

Fittingly, Preissner is steadfast and level-headed as Maggie, relegated to her role as the "uncomplicated" one, meaning she's left without an outlet for her own struggle with fertility. While not nearly as feral an exploration of motherhood as Nightbitch or Die My Love, The Walsh Sisters presents a rarely seen side of feeling like a "shit mum" through Claire, with Galligan's wonderful performance leaning instead into dry humour. As the youngest of the bunch and the most unfiltered sister, Helen, Tyers balances deadpan delivery with hidden struggles.

They're all under the constant scrutiny of their mother (Carrie Crowley), whose desperation to take up as much family attention as her daughters do brings out some absolute clangers. "I have problems too," she declares, in a situation in which her problems are absolutely not the most serious.

However, the standout performances of the series come from Harland and Menton as Anna and Rachel.

The Walsh Sisters handles addiction and grief with compassion. Credit: BBC / Cuba Pictures and Metropolitan Films / Enda Bowe

With Rachel's Holiday and Anybody Out There forming the core dramatic narratives of the series, Menton and Harland dig deep.

One of the more universal themes of the series is grief, with Harland giving an outstanding performance as Anna as she navigates this surreal terrain. For anyone who has experienced loss, it's relatable to watch Anna meander through bizarre, mundane actions, ponder unanswered questions, and dwell on the "right" way to grieve.

Menton, meanwhile, sees Rachel through her storyline of addiction with grace and vulnerability. We've seen a handful of screen representations of women experiencing alcoholism and drug addiction — Andrea Riseborough in To Leslie, Sandra Bullock in 28 Days, Saoirse Ronan in The Outrun, Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married — each with their own context and complexities. The Walsh Sisters doesn't glamorise Rachel's addiction and recovery, leaning into the raw nature of withdrawal and having realistic conversations around relationships, sobriety, and edited memory. Denial, the need for validation, and control are major factors in Rachel's addiction, and she must face hard truths during her recovery from the people she loves — as well as her roommate, Chaquie (an impeccable Debi Mazar).

However, the series doesn't drag you completely under. One of the most Keyes elements of Preissner's take on The Walsh Sisters is this human ability to pivot from "rock bottom" to levity and practicality in an instant without feeling disingenuous. It's pure, sisterly buoyancy. And though it took 30 years to get here, this Marian Keyes adaptation is the one we (and they) deserve.

The Walsh Sisters is now streaming on BBC iPlayer in the UK, with U.S. details TBC.

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YouTube Premium subscribers who were promised an ad-free experience for $13.99 a month were met with jarring mid-playlist advertisements this week, in what appears to be an apparent Google snafu.

The glitch was first flagged by premium users who were listening to YouTube Music on their Google Home and Nest devices, Android Authority reported. On the Google Home subreddit on Feb. 20, users reported ads appearing consistently even after resetting their devices, suggesting the issue was at the account level.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI may sell $300 smart speaker with camera — in 2027

Users also reported experiencing long pauses before songs played, low volume, casting problems, and issues with their YouTube Music algorithm. One user said they had been experiencing issues with home devices playing YouTube Music for the last year, prompting them to cancel their account. "They must've botched a release," wrote another user.

The official Google Nest Community account initially responded to the complaints, saying it was investigating the reports, though it did not mention the ad issue specifically. "We are aware of an issue with playing YouTube Music on some Google Home devices. We're investigating and will provide you an update as soon as we can. Thank you for your patience," the post read.

In a follow-up comment, the Google community account said the issue had since been resolved and asked users to flag any recurring problems.

Google is in the midst of an overhaul of its smart home ecosystem, including new Gemini-powered smart speakers and Nest products like indoor security cameras.

Following the revocation of President Donald Trump's sweeping foreign tariff plan, the violent deployment of ICE agents around the country, and amid the shocking release of the Epstein Files, the Trump administration is reportedly also waging a war on what it sees as international content censorship.

"Information is power. Reclaim your human right to free expression. Get ready," the current homepage of freedom.gov reads, adorned with a small animated Paul Revere animation. A venture of the U.S. State Department, exclusively reported by Reuters, the new government site is rumored to be the landing page for any content that is currently blocked by foreign powers, a way to bypass strict content laws across Europe, Brazil, and even Russia.

SEE ALSO: Government shutdown won't affect your 2026 tax return

Notably, the European Union has a much more severe stance on extremist propaganda, including white supremacist and neo-Nazi content. Many countries have cracked down harder on such topics as they face a rise in right-wing political parties. The EU also tightly regulates terrorist propaganda and "harmful disinformation" on social media platforms — X owner Elon Musk has previously aligned himself with far-right parties across the region.

The project is run by Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers, who has repeatedly met with right-wing movement leaders abroad, and the domain has been linked to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) under the Department of Homeland Security, the Guardian reported.

Previously, the State Department funded the Internet Freedom project, which supported anti-censorship initiatives around the globe. The Trump Administration has shrunk the project's funding and recently pulled the country from the global Freedom Online Coalition.

"It feels mostly performative," a former U.S. official told the Guardian under anonymity. "It reads more like a combative policy declaration. [U.S. government] disagreements with the EU on free speech are nothing new as a matter of policy. But a portal of this kind takes it a step further, declaring publicly that the USG is concerned with freedom of expression even among our allies in Europe."

Insiders say the website was supposed to debut at the Munich Security Conference, but was allegedly delayed due to legal and foreign policy concerns, Reuters reported. A source told the publication that the department also discussed adding a VPN function that would route all user traffic through the U.S., presumably to get around location-specific bans in certain countries. That same source said that the webpage would not track user activity.

A State Department spokesperson denied the claims by insiders, adding that the U.S. government "does not have a censorship-circumvention program specific to Europe." The source clarified: "Digital freedom is a priority for the State Department, however, and that includes the proliferation of privacy and censorship-circumvention technologies like VPNs."

Despite alleged concerns, the site remains active. And, as its homepage promises, "freedom is coming."

Are you a cord cutter who has freed yourself from the shackles of monthly fees for channels you've never before watched in your life? It's a great feeling, but do yourself a favor if you haven't already: get yourself a digital antenna.

It's been more than a decade since I last had cable. Streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, and others have filled my TV screen and filled any void that cable left behind. Many people have felt the same.

SEE ALSO: You need to watch this very good dog interrupt the women's Olympic ski race

According to a Nielsen report earlier this year, streaming platforms broke records just months ago, with streaming making up a new high of 47.5 percent of TV viewing in December. That's more than cable and broadcast TV combined.

However, networks still have a secret weapon that streaming platforms are only beginning to discover: live TV, namely sports.

That same Nielsen report found that Christmas Day was the "most-streamed ever," with more than 55 billion viewing minutes, led by NFL games on Netflix and Prime. However, some live sports are still mainly a network or even cable TV thing. Other sports are simulcast on network TV and a streaming channel, meaning cord-cutters could skip paying for a streaming platform altogether if they're only interested in one sport.

Here's a great example: The Winter Olympics on NBC. The NBC-owned Peacock streaming service is showing all the games as well as the same highlight shows that are broadcast on NBC. But if you're only interested in those primetime highlight shows, NBC has been airing them on its network every single night. All you need is a digital antenna to view it. No Peacock streaming subscription necessary.

The same thing was true for Super Bowl LX earlier this month, too. The same live game was being aired on NBC, free with a digital antenna, or on Peacock, which requires a subscription.

Furthermore, some network channels paywall streaming content with cable providers. For example, when trying to watch the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) championship game last year, many found that while it was airing on CBS for free, a paid subscription beyond the regular Paramount+ plan was required. Having a digital antenna would have allowed access to that free CBS network feed.

I went years without a digital antenna. Streaming provided access to all the shows and movies I was interested in. Until, as I mentioned, TV realized it had the upper hand with live sports. Streaming companies are realizing that with Netflix having picked up the weekly WWE Raw show and numerous special live combat sports events. Streaming platforms like Apple TV+ carry some MLB games, too, for example. However, there are still many live sports that can be accessed for free with a digital antenna.

So, what should you get?

There are many digital antenna options. Prices range from $20 or lower, even cheaper if you find a sale. Personally, I have tried out a few options from digital antenna brands Mohu and ClearStream.

Both the Mohu Lead Amplified digital antenna and the ClearStream Flex Amplified worked perfectly for my needs, and they're priced at under $50 each.

Digital antennas seamlessly integrate with your Smart TV menus after a quick setup and sync process, so your choice of antenna shouldn't be based on the user interface. Pick a digital antenna based on its range and the design of its hardware. Some digital antennas stand vertically, others lie flat. A common digital antenna design lets you mount it high on your wall or window for the best possible reception.

Both options I mentioned above provide around 50 miles of range to pickup channels. There are slightly more expensive options to expand that range, too, like the Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro, which extends that range to 65 miles.

Either way, these are big money savers. The cost of a single digital antenna is a one-time fee for purchasing the hardware. And that cost is only around 2-3 months of the monthly subscription of some of the biggest streaming providers.

Plus, you'll never miss a free network TV live event again.

Pinterest still has an AI slop problem. And an AI content moderation problem. And an AI labeling problem.

At least, that's what users are reporting amid the company's continued commitment to turning the visual curation platform into an AI-powered social media site. In a report by 404 Media, users told the publication that Pinterest's automatic content moderation system, including a system that labels content as "AI modified," is consistently incorrectly flagging human-made images, particularly those featuring women, while actual AI slop only grows.

SEE ALSO: AI apps on the Google Play store are leaking customer data and photos

In addition, users say the site's tools to curb AI-generated content in feeds are failing to prevent AI images from appearing on user boards, and AI-powered account moderators are still banning accounts with little to no explanation.

"We publish clear guidelines on adult sexual content and nudity and use a combination of AI and human review for enforcement. We have an appeals process where a human reviews the content and reactivates it when we’ve made a mistake," said Pinterest in a statement to 404 Media.

This isn't anything new for many social media platforms leaning into AI, but it's particularly distressing for platform users who have pushed to keep the Pinterest experience the same. For years, the platform has come under fire for failing to curb AI-generated photos, videos, and ads, if not encouraging their existence on the site wholesale.

In March 2025, the company updated its privacy policy to elucidate its policy of feeding users' public pins into its machine learning models, including training efforts for Pinterest's base AI model, Pinterest Canvas. Pinterest faced further criticism in May, when users, already complaining about AI content-filled algorithms that were ruining the app experience, reported platform-wide account bans that many suspected were the result of a faulty AI content moderation system.

In response to the ongoing AI controversy, Pinterest added tools in October to filter out specific types of AI content from recommendations, though the company made it clear at the time that it wouldn't completely eradicate the issue.

Then, just last month, the company announced it would lay off hundreds of employees in yet another push toward AI, writing in an SEC filing that it would reprioritize "AI-powered products and capabilities" following the launch of its AI-powered shopping tool, Pinterest Assistant. The company has been exploring AI integration for nearly a decade.

Meanwhile, AI slop is proliferating across social media platforms, including brainrot YouTube Shorts, bots and Grok-generated images on X, and entirely AI-rendered influencers ripping videos from famous TikTok influencers.

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 Pips

If 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 21, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for February 21, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 21 Pips

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically; 5-2, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 21 Pips

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is -4, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 0-10, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 21 Pips

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 0-2, placed vertically; 0-5, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 0-5, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 5-4, placed vertically; 3-0, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who know the big fella.

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.

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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.

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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 categories

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

• Yellow: Plays in the Old Line State

• Green: The Big Fella

• Blue: Robert Redford movie

• Purple: Driver

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Maryland Teams

• Green: Shaquille O'Neal Nicknames

• Blue: Associated with "The Natural"

• Purple: Sports That Have a Driver

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 #516 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Maryland Teams - MIDSHIPMEN, ORIOLES, RAVENS, TERRAPINS

• Shaquille O'Neal Nicknames - BIG ARISTOTLE, DIESEL, SHAQ, SUPERMAN

• Associated with "The Natural" - BASEBALL, HOBBS, KNIGHTS, WONDERBOY

• Sports That Have a Driver - BOBSLED, F1, GOLF, WATER POLO

Don'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.

TL;DR: Live stream Atalanta vs. Napoli in Serie A for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Napoli desperately need to string some positive results together if they want to reduce Inter's lead at the top of the Serie A standings. Napoli are the defending champions, but they find themselves 11 points behind the leaders going into their all-important clash with Atalanta.

Atalanta are back in seventh position, but they'll have their sights firmly set on breaking into the top six. A win at home to Napoli could help them leapfrog Como into European qualification spots. We're expecting an entertaining contest between two sides stacked with talent.

If you want to watch Atalanta vs. Napoli in Serie A for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Atalanta vs. Napoli?

Atalanta vs. Napoli in Serie A kicks off at 9 a.m. ET on Feb. 22. This fixture takes place at the Stadio di Bergamo.

How to watch Atalanta vs. Napoli for free

Atalanta vs. Napoli in Serie A is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, 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 the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Atalanta vs. Napoli for free 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 UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream Atalanta vs. Napoli for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Atalanta vs. Napoli without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream select fixtures from Serie A before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 Atalanta vs. Napoli in Serie A for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream India vs. South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 T20 World Cup group stage is done and dusted. Now there are only eight teams still vying for the prize.

The Super 8 stage is organized into two groups of four teams. Weirdly, all the unbeaten teams have been placed in Group A. The first game from this group is India vs. South Africa. For a lot of fans, this could be a warm up for the final. These sides both look incredibly strong, so this contest will likely be decided by small margins. Whichever way it goes, it's going to be entertaining to see the best of the best battle it out.

If you want to watch India vs. South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is India vs. South Africa?

India vs. South Africa in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 22. This game takes place at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

How to watch India vs. South Africa for free

India vs. South Africa in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream India vs. South Africa in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free 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 a location with access

4. Visit ICC.TV

5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup 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 VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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).

Watch the 2026 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Canada vs. USA in the men's ice hockey final for free on CBC Gem. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The international ice hockey has been incredible to watch over the last few weeks, and it all ends here.

Canada face off against USA for the gold medals — it's the final that neutral hockey fans all over the world wanted to see most. It's one of the biggest rivalries in sport, littered with star names like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. It's going to be epic, and you can watch all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch Canada vs. USA in the men's ice hockey final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Canada vs. USA?

Canada vs. USA in the men's ice hockey final takes place at 8:10 a.m. ET on Feb. 22. This fixture takes place at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

How to watch Canada vs. USA for free

Canada vs. USA in the men's ice hockey final is available to live stream for free on CBC Gem.

CBC Gem is geo-restricted to Canada, 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 Canada, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 winter sports ice hockey from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Canada vs. USA in men's ice hockey for free 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 Canada

4. Visit CBC Gem

5. Watch Canada vs. USA 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 VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the ice hockey before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for CBC Gem?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Canada

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 Canada vs. USA in the men's ice hockey final for free with ExpressVPN.

So, what is the best e-reader for 2026? I'm regularly testing new e-readers (and tablets) and cycling through different models to stay up to date on the best options available. So, if you're gearing up to read more books this year, I can recommend a model you'll love.

Featured Video For You Other e-readers we've tested From left to right: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook GlowLight 4 Plus, Kindle Scribe Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable

The latest e-readers I tested were the Kindle Scribe (2025) and Kindle Scribe Colorsoft. Previously, Kindle Scribes were disappointing e-readers, but Amazon made major improvements on these devices, and now, they're worthy of your attention. We've included the Kindle Scribe (2025) on this list because it's a better value, even if the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft is technically more impressive. For more details on the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, you can read our full review.

We've also tested the Remarkable PaperPro and Onyx Boox Go 7 as contenders for this list. After several weeks of testing, both devices proved to be pretty good but not quite list-worthy.

Whenever you search for e-readers, Remarkable's tablets will always pop up in the search results, but unfortunately, it's hard to obtain ePUB files on the Remarkable. With Remarkable, you can access files within Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. If you have any locked ePUB files — like from Libby — you won't be able to access them on a Remarkable tablet. So, after testing the Remarkable tablet myself, it proved to be a better document reader or digital journal than an e-reader.

The Onyx Boox Go 7 is a better e-reader option than the Remarkable. It's the same size as the Kobo Libra or Amazon Kindle, but it really lags on processing speed. To read ePUB files from Libby required downloading the Adobe Digital Editions app onto the Boox Go 7, and there was so much lag while opening and closing the app. While it was an easier process than getting library books on a Nook, it was still a major pain compared to Kindle or Kobo's integrations. The Boox Go 7 lagged and took ages to load files. I was most looking forward to testing this Boox because of its page-turning buttons, but unfortunately, I found that they didn't work on my device.

An e-reader we haven't gotten around to testing is the Kindle Scribe Colorsoft, which is now available for purchase. We're trying out some newer names in the e-reader game, including the Xteink X4 and DuRoBo Krono.

What about the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition?

If you're familiar with the Kindle lineup, it may come as a surprise that the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition isn't on this list. Don't get me wrong, it's great, but I think there are better options. The Signature Edition is an upgraded version of the Paperwhite, and we've compared the devices head-to-head. The short version? The Paperwhite is a better value, even with the SE's added features like auto-adjusting brightness and 32GB of storage.

If you are prepared to spend $200 on an e-reader, though, I say skip the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and go for the Kobo Libra Colour.

Where's the Nook on this list?

In terms of big-name e-readers, you might notice one omission from this list: the Barnes & Noble Nook. I have tested this e-reader, and it was previously featured on this list. However, after testing more devices, it no longer makes the cut. In comparison to any of the Kindles or the Kobo Libra, the Nook has sloth-like performance, making it frustrating to use.

Plus, getting my library books onto the Nook was a nightmare, as it was a multi-step process that required downloading to a computer before uploading to a Nook. Its only redeeming quality was the buttons on either side of the device, which made page turning a breeze. However, unless you are a loyal buyer of Barnes & Noble books, I recommend steering clear of the Nook.

Where to get e-reader books for free

Once you get an e-reader, it's time to fill it up with books, and that doesn't necessarily mean spending money. In fact, you can load up your e-reader without spending a dime; you just need to be a bit resourceful.

The best way to read nearly any book — a classic or hot new release — is with Libby. I have read hundreds of free books with the Libby app — I wouldn't have been able to test for this guide without it. It connects with your library card, allowing you to borrow from your local library's digital collection. Plus, both Kobo and Kindle have exceptional Libby integrations.

Another way to build your library is through Stuff Your Kindle Day events. These are 24-hour opportunities led by authors that make books discounted or free.

If you're a fan of the classics or looking to discover a treasure lost to time, an online resource like Project Gutenberg has more than 75,000 books in the public domain that you can download and read on an e-reader.

Tech leaders are beginning to worry about the public’s underwhelming enthusiasm for their plans to remake the world with artificial intelligence. Will that burst the bubble?

As of February 2026, I think the best Windows laptop for most people is the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 powered by the Snapdragon X Elite chip. It's a stylish workhorse with enough power to handle demanding workloads and has a premium build as well as an amazing all-day battery life (outdone by just three other models). Even the M4 MacBooks can't keep up. Beyond that, I have other picks for users with different budgets, use cases, and design preferences.

I chose my picks based on hands-on testing conducted by myself and other Mashable staff and contributors. We've reviewed dozens of PCs on the basis of performance, build quality, battery life, and value over the years, and the ones I'm recommending are the cream of recent-gen crops. Most of them scored high enough to secure a Mashable Choice Award, the highest honor we give to the gadgets we review.

What's new

I added the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ as a top pick in February 2026. It's now our favorite work laptop, which is a new category for this guide.

More new Windows laptops are coming soon — and so are higher prices (maybe)

Every major PC maker announced new Windows laptops at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January. They'll all be powered by new Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm processors, and many of them feature modular or ultra-ultraportable designs. Six of them will succeed some of the current top picks on this list. We'll be testing as many as possible in the coming months to see what's worthy of our recommendation, so stay tuned.

Relatedly, a word of caution: Next-gen Windows laptops could be significantly more expensive than their predecessors. It's because AI data centers have gobbled up DDR5 RAM and SSDs in recent months, leading to a shortage of such components for laptops and other consumer devices. Experts predict that PCs will get pricier over the coming months or ship with lesser specs, as Mashable's Alex Perry reported.

Very few PC makers have confirmed pricing and availability for their 2026 Windows laptops, so we don't know exactly how the shortage affects them just yet. The good news is that it might be up to a year before we see prices start to skyrocket. In a recent interview with Tom's Guide, a higher-up at Intel said that PC makers have “about nine to 12 months of inventory" on hand as a buffer.

Whether you're buying one of the excellent past-gen models on this list or sticking it out for something newer, I would strongly recommend upgrading your device with as much RAM and storage as your budget allows. You'll add some extra future-proofing while avoiding any potential price hikes down the road.

Sony’s no stranger to the open-ear category — its original LinkBuds were one of the first you could buy — and yet the company remained content to stick with an in-ear shape, even while brands like Shokz and Soundcore were enjoying success with earhook and clip-style designs. The LinkBuds Clip are, finally, recognition that maybe one size (or shape) doesn’t fit all.

They’re still not perfect — or priced as low as the competition — yet the LinkBuds Clip make a compelling choice in the still-evolving open-ear category.

Here’s what you need to know.

Sony LinkBuds Clip: Just the specs

• Microphones: 2

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (AAC/SBC codecs) with Multipoint

• Battery: 9 hours per charge (37 hours total)

• Quick charge: One hour of extra play time after three minutes of charging

• Charging: USB-C only (cable not included)

• Noise cancellation: N/A

• Spatial audio: N/A

• Colors: Lavender, black, green, and greige

• Materials: Plastic

Clips that actually make sense

In terms of design, the LinkBuds Clip follow the same formula as most clip-style open-ear earbuds: a small speaker pod sits just inside your ear’s concha (yet, importantly, it doesn’t sit in front of your ear canal), which is connected via a flexible cuff to a battery capsule that sits just behind your ear.

The result is a device that ends up looking more like jewelry than an earbud. Some, like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, play this to the hilt, with glitzy color options that up the bling factor, but Sony has chosen a more demure path, with three pastels (lavender, green, and greige) plus basic black.

Where Sony ups the style ante is its optional silicone skins for the LinkBuds Clip charging case. These are available in five complementary colors, and you can order the top and bottom skins separately ($12.50 each), creating a wide variety of possible combos. The skins provide a welcome layer of protection — plus a carabiner — though the bottom skin covers the case’s rear pairing button, so you may need to remove it.

Credit: Simon Cohen / Mashable

Looks aside, the biggest benefits of the clip shape are comfort and glasses compatibility. I’ve been able to wear the Clip for up to four hours at a shot, and only needed to adjust them a few times to maintain comfort. They don’t interfere with my prescription eyeglasses at all (or my sunglasses), which, along with their comfortable fit, makes me forget I’m even wearing them. Sony includes a set of small, color-matched silicone “air fitting cushions” to help users with smaller ears get a secure fit. My ears are, apparently, big enough not to need them.

The buds sport an IPX4 rating for water resistance — not bad for rain/sweat — which is the minimum we should expect from wireless earbuds today. Most other models, e.g. Soundcore AeroClip ($170), Shokz OpenDots One ($199), and Soundpeats Pearl Clip Pro ($60) offer more protection, like IP54 or IP55.

The charging case, with its clamshell opening, makes it easy to grab the earbuds and put them back again, but it’s a little boxier and thicker than alternatives like the OpenDots One or Pearl Clip Pro, and therefore a little less pocketable. My bigger criticism is the lack of wireless charging. The less expensive OpenDots One, for instance, include it despite their smaller case size. And without wireless charging, you may object to the lack of an included charging cable (or not, after all, I’m guessing you already have a few lying around).

Tap controls (with strings attached)

The LinkBuds Clip are controlled via tap gestures, either on the cuff or the battery capsule. The good news is that taps are sensed via an accelerometer (as opposed to a touch sensor), so they’ll work with gloved hands (handy for cold weather), and, if you tap forcefully enough, you can even tap the area of your cheek just in front of your ear. The earbuds generally recognized and responded to my taps instantly.

The bad news is that Sony heavily restricts how these taps work. Instead of being able to assign any function to any tap sequence (single, double, triple, etc.), each earbud can only work with a single function “group,” which you pick inside the Sony Sound Connect app. Your choices are Playback, Select Song, Voice Assist, Quick Access, or Listening Mode.

Credit: Simon Cohen / Mashable

Playback lets you play/pause (double-tap) and skip forward a song (triple-tap). If you want to skip back a song, you need to choose the Select Song group instead. But this replaces play/pause with skip forward, while the triple becomes skip back. You’ll face a similar dilemma if you want to be able to access your voice assistant. That’s totally doable, but now you have to choose which function should be on your other earbud. Since that’s almost certainly going to be Playback, you can’t have skip backward, quick access, or sound mode selection.

A saving grace is that call answer/end and volume up/down are always available, regardless of the groups you’ve chosen.

The sound is the real star

It should probably come as no surprise that the LinkBuds Clip sound great. After all, Sony rarely lets us down in this area. But what did surprise me was the level of clarity, openness, and frequency balance these buds produced. I’ve tested a lot of open-ear earbuds, in all three styles: earhook, clip, and in-ear. With the possible exception of Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds ($299), the LinkBuds Clip are the best I’ve heard.

Open-ear earbuds are, as the name suggests, naturally good at creating an open, spacious sound, because the audio isn’t sealed off from the outside world. It blends, and when your surroundings are quiet, this creates a very natural sound that we tend to describe as “open.” The LinkBuds Clip seem especially adept at creating this effect. So much so that when playing back regular stereo tracks back to back with their Dolby Atmos Music versions, as I did with Dire Straits’ Sultans of Swing, INXS’ New Sensation, and Elton John’s Rocket Man, the stereo version sounded almost as spacious (and far more detailed).

Bass response — typically the weakest link for open-ear listening — while not as powerful as on closed earbuds, doesn’t feel lacking in the least. And unlike on some open-ears, which attempt to overcome the bass problem with pure power, the LinkBuds Clip deliver a smooth and even frequency response that lets the mids and highs ring true.

Credit: Simon Cohen / Mashable

You can adjust the tuning in the Sound Connect app via several presets or your own custom EQ recipe (which I encourage you to try), but I found myself spending most of my time with the EQ adjustment turned off. When I was outside, I found Sony’s “Hard” preset helpful for boosting lows and highs.

My one critique is that I don’t think they get loud enough. Even in quiet indoor listening, I needed a minimum of 80% volume to get a sufficient level of fidelity. Outdoors, or in noisy situations, 100% was barely enough. You can engage Sony’s optional Voice Boost mode, but as the name suggests, it’s a tweak best reserved for phone calls and podcasts. It definitely makes everything louder, but not in a way that improves the sound of music.

There really aren’t any open-ear earbuds that thrive in noisy environments, but if that’s where you want to use them, Shokz’s OpenDots One are loud enough to cut through most of the clutter.

Built for talking

I’ve said it many times: Open-ear earbuds are fabulous for calls of all kinds, whether they’re video or voice-only. The secret is their inherent transparency. The ability to hear your own voice as naturally as you do when having a face-to-face talk eliminates the discomfort and fatigue we typically experience when using earbuds for calling. The LinkBuds Clip are no exception.

They also do a very good job of blocking out background sounds on your end so that your callers can hear you (almost) as clearly as you hear yourself. They deal with wind exceptionally well. They’re not perfect, however. While walking down a very busy street, the mics and their algorithms struggled to find that balance, occasionally making my voice quite distorted. There’s also a tendency toward sibilance (that raspy ess-sound). Still, for most people, in all but very noisy settings, the Clips are a great set of buds for calls.

Battery life: Manage your expectations

Sony pegs battery life on the LinkBuds Clip at 9 hours per charge, which is likely enough for a full day of use, and it compares well to other clip-style buds, like the OpenDots One, which gets 10 hours. However, manufacturers’ battery life estimates are based on average use. Sony doesn’t say what volume level it used for these estimates, but the industry standard is between 50%-60%. Given my concerns about loudness, I don’t think this is realistic.

Playing at 75% (still not as loud as I like), I got just under 6 hours of playtime. That’s still decent, especially given the quick charge feature (an extra hour for three minutes of charging), but not quite what you may be expecting.

Are the Sony LinkBuds Clip worth it?

They’re comfy, sound great, and have very good call quality, all of which are important traits for any open-ear earbuds you may be considering. But in typical Sony fashion, the company charges a premium price for the LinkBuds Clip, and in this case, I’m not sure it’s entirely justified.

There are a lot of great clip-style earbuds — I’ve mentioned several throughout this review — and with the exception of the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, they’re all less expensive (sometimes far less) than the LinkBuds Clip. There’s no doubt in my mind that the Clip offer noticeably better sound than these alternatives, yet their limited control options and lack of wireless charging diminish the value equation.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony LinkBuds Clip $228 at Amazon
  Shop Now

NASA aims to launch its next crewed moon mission, Artemis II, as soon as March 6, after a key fueling test showed major progress and only minor issues.

Mission managers said the latest wet dress rehearsal — a full practice run that involves loading the Space Launch System rocket with super-cold liquid fuel — met all the main goals. Teams filled both stages of the rocket on schedule, ran through the countdown, and tested how they would handle pauses and restarts, all without the serious hydrogen leaks that troubled earlier tests.

The space agency will not officially clear the mission for launch until after a detailed flight readiness review late next week, but NASA leaders expressed confidence that an attempt in two weeks' time is possible. The four-person crew — Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Hammock Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — has begun to quarantine at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

"It's not an ambiguous time in the future," said Lori Glaze, NASA's moon-to-Mars program manager, at a news conference Friday. "This is really getting real, and it's time to get serious."

The announcement of the potential Artemis II launch date, NASA's first astronaut-led moon mission since 1972, comes a day after the agency admitted to gross failures in the Boeing Starliner test flight that involved astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams in 2024. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman delivered scathing remarks about the risk to human safety during a Thursday news conference about the investigation, which relabeled the Starliner mission as a "Type-A mishap." That designation is the most serious level of incident short of a fatal accident.

SEE ALSO: Scientists used the Webb telescope to make a video of Uranus' auroras

With Artemis II set to become the first human test flight of the Orion spaceship, there are some glaring parallels, especially given concerns about the spacecraft's heat shield. Though the lunar mission uses a different rocket and spacecraft from Boeing's long-troubled Starliner, leaders stressed that the mishap investigation must reshape how NASA manages all human spaceflight. The same cultural and management failures could surface in any program if left unchecked, said NASA associate administrator Amit Kshatriya.

"We failed them," he said, referring to Wilmore and Williams, who both retired after their 10-day test flight turned into nine months at the International Space Station. "Even though they won't say that, we have to say that."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Boeing Starliner mishap investigation

Isaacman outlined how the agency mishandled the 2024 mission, citing serious failures in NASA's own leadership and decision-making. NASA has released its 300-page Starliner report, days ahead of plans to present the findings to Congress. 

NASA and Boeing still don't fully understand why thrusters in both the service module — which carries engines and fuel — and the capsule malfunctioned. The crewed mission had a temporary loss of steering during its approach to the station and another propulsion failure during its empty return, though that wasn't made public at the time. The two astronauts were not on board for that, coming home instead in a SpaceX Crew Dragon months later.

In a statement released Thursday, Boeing said it had made substantial progress on technical repairs since the flight and was working on cultural changes across its team as well. 

"NASA’s report will reinforce our ongoing efforts to strengthen our work, and the work of all Commercial Crew Partners, in support of mission and crew safety, which is and must always be our highest priority," the company said. 

Artemis mission managers say they are working toward a launch attempt on March 6, 2026. Credit: NASA / Brandon Hancock Artemis II flight readiness

During this week's Artemis II test, fuel leak levels stayed far below past readings, including during the most demanding part of the countdown, giving officials renewed assurance. An earlier test in February showed leaks where ground equipment connects to the rocket. Between the two wet dress rehearsals, technicians replaced two key seals and a fuel-system filter. 

A couple of major tasks still remain. Technicians need to install temporary work platforms at the Cape Canaveral, Florida, launchpad so the team can reach and retest the rocket's flight termination system, the explosives that would destroy the rocket if it veered off course after liftoff. NASA also plans more final checks inside Orion.

At the Artemis II briefing, a day after Isaacman said the agency would be more accountable and transparent, several reporters raised concerns about how NASA has shared information about the moon mission. They described fruitless attempts to get details from agency spokespeople. A recent mini fueling test went unannounced, the agency hadn't provided basic photos or diagrams of the repaired seals, and representatives had not yet released a full list of backup launch dates.  

"Transparency is not a weakness; it is a strength," Isaacman said Thursday. "Failure to learn invites failure again and suggests that, in human spaceflight, failure is an option. It is not."

Want to watch college basketball this season? Here are your best options: BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Get Deal Best for affordability Sling TV Orange + Blue $23/month for your first month, then $45.99/month Get Deal Best for top weekend games Paramount+ with Showtime $13.99/month or $139.99/year Get Deal BEST FOR SMALL SCHOOL FANS ESPN+ $29.99/month Get Deal Best for Big Ten games Peacock Premium $10.99/month Get Deal BEST for INTRODUCTORY OFFER YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for 2 months (save $99) Get Deal

If you watch just one college basketball game this week, make sure it's Michigan Wolverines vs. Duke Blue Devils. Held on the neutral floor of Washington D.C., this match is quite simply the biggest game of the week, with Michigan ranked at No. 1 and Duke ranked at No. 3.

Both teams sit at the top of their respective standings — Michigan are atop the Big Ten standings and Duke atop the Atlantic Coast — but the pressure is on the Blue Devils to get something from this showdown. Indeed, the Wolverines are on an incredible 13-game winning streak and have the best overall record in the country at 25-1. Duke, however, have had just two losses this season, so they'll give Michigan a serious battle on the court.

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If you want to watch Michigan vs. Duke from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Michigan vs. Duke?

Michigan vs. Duke takes place at 6.30 p.m. ET on Feb. 21. This game takes place at the Capital One Arena.

Michigan vs. Duke is broadcast on ESPN.

How to watch college basketball in 2025/26

Fans can live stream college basketball on a wide range of recommended platforms, some of which include free trials, allowing you to follow the action without actually spending anything.

ESPN+ (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN+ $29.99/month Shop Now

Channels: ESPN+ only

If your favorite team plays in the America East, Atlantic Sun, Ivy League, or Southland conference, then ESPN+ is the only way to watch those teams without going to the games. For many other leagues that don’t have many games on traditional TV channels, ESPN+ is the primary way to watch games.

It's worth noting that an ESPN+ subscription gives you access to ESPN+ only. For the full range of ESPN and sports access, choose an alternative tier.

The ESPN Select tier (for classic content, studio shows, and replays) is priced at $12.99 per month or $129.99 per year. ESPN Unlimited (all ESPN live channels and ESPN+ content) costs $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year.

Peacock Premium (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium $10.99/month Shop Now

The Big Ten Conference will have games exclusively on Peacock this season, so to catch all those conference contests, you’ll need Peacock.

Members of the Big Ten Conference in 2025-26 include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, and Wisconsin.

There are 58 Big Ten men’s basketball games scheduled to be broadcast exclusively on Peacock. Peacock Premium costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year.

FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop Now

Channels: ACBS, FOX, Big Ten Network, CBSSN, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, MSG, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Philadelphia, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and USA Network. 

FuboTV will be a great option for the college basketball regular season. Its Pro plan at $84.99 per month will give you access to hundreds of college basketball games. There is also a seven-day free trial. 

If you’re a fan of teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, you’ll want to upgrade to the Elite plan to get the ACC Network. The Elite plan is $104.99 per month. 

The biggest channels missing from the FuboTV lineup are TBS, TNT, and truTV. Those carry a large chunk of games during the NCAA Tournament, and the 2026 Final Four and national championship game are scheduled to be broadcast on TBS. To get those games, you’ll need to go elsewhere such as the B/R Sports add-on with Max. 

Paramount+ with Showtime (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount Paramount + with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $13.99/month Shop Now

Channels: CBS, CBS Sports HQ

CBS mainly shows college basketball games on the weekends, so if you’re mainly a weekend viewer until March, this would work for you.

Paramount+ gives you a seven-day free trial. To live stream CBS on Paramount+, you need the Paramount+ with Showtime tier, and that is $12.99 per month. You can also choose the annual plan at $119.99 per year, and you save about $3 per month. 

Paramount+ also gives students a 25% discount. CBS Sports Network games are not available to live stream through Paramount+ on its own. You'll need the Showtime add-on.

Sling TV Orange + Blue (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network

If you’re a casual college basketball fan, an option like Sling may be a good fit for you. It's a comprehensive sporting service with a wide range of benefits, but you will need to be careful when selecting your plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets — for $45.99 per month (with an introductory deal of 50% off for the first month) — but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually want.

YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for your first 2 months Shop Now

Channels: CBS, FOX, ACCN, Big Ten Network, CBSSN, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, SEC Network, TBS, TNT, truTV, The CW, USA Network

YouTube TV offers a 7-day free trial. It is then $59.99 per month for the first two months. That will get you most of the way through the 2025-26 college basketball season. After the introductory rate, the rate is $82.99 per month starting in the third month. 

How to watch Michigan vs. Duke from anywhere in the world

If you're outside the U.S. 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., allowing you to unblock live streams of college basketball from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Michigan vs. Duke 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 Michigan vs. Duke 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 10 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. That means 49% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (which includes a money-back guarantee).

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

Want to watch college basketball this season? Here are your best options: BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Get Deal Best for affordability Sling TV Orange + Blue $23/month for your first month, then $45.99/month Get Deal Best for top weekend games Paramount+ with Showtime $13.99/month or $139.99/year Get Deal BEST FOR SMALL SCHOOL FANS ESPN+ $29.99/month Get Deal Best for Big Ten games Peacock Premium $10.99/month Get Deal BEST for INTRODUCTORY OFFER YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for 2 months (save $99) Get Deal

This week's college basketball action sees the Connecticut Huskies go on the road the play the Villanova Wildcats.

The safe bet is on UConn scoring a win — the Connecticut team are above Villanova in the Big East conference and currently sit at No. 5 in the national rankings — but don't count the Wildcats out just yet. UConn are still hurting from an unexpected loss to Creighton earlier this week while Villanova are on a six-week winning streak. Can they make it seven in a row with a win over UConn?

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If you want to watch UConn vs. Villanova from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is UConn vs. Villanova?

UConn vs. Villanova takes place at 5.30 p.m. ET on Feb. 21. This game takes place at the Xfinity Center.

UConn vs. Villanova Center is broadcast on PEAC.

How to watch college basketball in 2025/26

Fans can live stream college basketball on a wide range of recommended platforms, some of which include free trials, allowing you to follow the action without actually spending anything.

ESPN+ (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: ESPN ESPN+ $29.99/month Shop Now

Channels: ESPN+ only

If your favorite team plays in the America East, Atlantic Sun, Ivy League, or Southland conference, then ESPN+ is the only way to watch those teams without going to the games. For many other leagues that don’t have many games on traditional TV channels, ESPN+ is the primary way to watch games.

It's worth noting that an ESPN+ subscription gives you access to ESPN+ only. For the full range of ESPN and sports access, choose an alternative tier.

The ESPN Select tier (for classic content, studio shows, and replays) is priced at $12.99 per month or $129.99 per year. ESPN Unlimited (all ESPN live channels and ESPN+ content) costs $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year.

Peacock Premium (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium $10.99/month Shop Now

The Big Ten Conference will have games exclusively on Peacock this season, so to catch all those conference contests, you’ll need Peacock.

Members of the Big Ten Conference in 2025-26 include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, and Wisconsin.

There are 58 Big Ten men’s basketball games scheduled to be broadcast exclusively on Peacock. Peacock Premium costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year.

FuboTV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV 7-day free trial, then $54.99/month for 1 month Shop Now

Channels: ACBS, FOX, Big Ten Network, CBSSN, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, MSG, NBC Sports Bay Area, NBC Sports Philadelphia, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network, and USA Network. 

FuboTV will be a great option for the college basketball regular season. Its Pro plan at $84.99 per month will give you access to hundreds of college basketball games. There is also a seven-day free trial. 

If you’re a fan of teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, you’ll want to upgrade to the Elite plan to get the ACC Network. The Elite plan is $104.99 per month. 

The biggest channels missing from the FuboTV lineup are TBS, TNT, and truTV. Those carry a large chunk of games during the NCAA Tournament, and the 2026 Final Four and national championship game are scheduled to be broadcast on TBS. To get those games, you’ll need to go elsewhere such as the B/R Sports add-on with Max. 

Paramount+ with Showtime (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Paramount Paramount + with Showtime 7-day free trial, then $13.99/month Shop Now

Channels: CBS, CBS Sports HQ

CBS mainly shows college basketball games on the weekends, so if you’re mainly a weekend viewer until March, this would work for you.

Paramount+ gives you a seven-day free trial. To live stream CBS on Paramount+, you need the Paramount+ with Showtime tier, and that is $12.99 per month. You can also choose the annual plan at $119.99 per year, and you save about $3 per month. 

Paramount+ also gives students a 25% discount. CBS Sports Network games are not available to live stream through Paramount+ on its own. You'll need the Showtime add-on.

Sling TV Orange + Blue (no free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Season Pass $329 for 5 months Shop Now

Channels: ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, ESPNews, ESPN U, Fox, FS1, FS2, NBC, Pac-12 Network, SEC Network

If you’re a casual college basketball fan, an option like Sling may be a good fit for you. It's a comprehensive sporting service with a wide range of benefits, but you will need to be careful when selecting your plan. The Orange and Blue packages give you access to FOX, NBC, ABC, ESPN, and more in local markets — for $45.99 per month (with an introductory deal of 50% off for the first month) — but for access to ACC Network, SEC Network, Big Ten Network, and more, you'll need the Sports Extra package. We recommend checking your local market to ensure you get access to the channels you actually want.

YouTube TV (free trial) Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for your first 2 months Shop Now

Channels: CBS, FOX, ACCN, Big Ten Network, CBSSN, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, SEC Network, TBS, TNT, truTV, The CW, USA Network

YouTube TV offers a 7-day free trial. It is then $59.99 per month for the first two months. That will get you most of the way through the 2025-26 college basketball season. After the introductory rate, the rate is $82.99 per month starting in the third month. 

How to watch UConn vs. Villanova from anywhere in the world

If you're outside the U.S. 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., allowing you to unblock live streams of college basketball from anywhere in the world.

Live stream UConn vs. Villanova 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 UConn vs. Villanova 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 10 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. That means 49% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 $12.95 (which includes a money-back guarantee).

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal