Feed aggregator

President Donald Trump will reportedly delay the U.S. TikTok ban again this week, with plans to sign yet another executive order staving off its enforcement. If he does so, it will mark the third time the president has pushed back the ban's deadline, which is currently set for this Thursday.

SEE ALSO: Trump says he may delay TikTok ban once again

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared Trump's plans regarding TikTok in a statement to CNN, revealing that the president will sign a new executive order within the next few days. The extension will stay TikTok's execution for 90 days, longer than was previously granted in each of the two 75-day delays Trump issued in January and April.

"[T]he Administration will spend [the expected 90 day delay] working to ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure," Leavitt told CNN.

Trump previously indicated in May that he would delay the U.S. TikTok ban for a third time, repeating that he has a "warm spot" for the app and was working on a deal to keep it available. 

It's still unclear exactly who Trump hopes will buy TikTok to enable it to remain in the country. Multiple candidates have put themselves forward, from YouTuber MrBeast to the U.S. government itself, though software company Oracle appears to be the frontrunner. Though regardless of who attempts to buy TikTok, Trump's sweeping tariffs on China seems to have killed the possibility of a sale being approved any time soon.

Why is the U.S. banning TikTok?

U.S. lawmakers have expressed concern about TikTok for years, claiming that the Chinese government uses it to spy on users (though there is no public evidence that this is happening) and accusing it of manipulating its algorithm to present China in a favourable light. Some legislators have also expressed desire for a TikTok ban in order to stop the spread of pro-Palestinian content.

Also known as the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), the U.S. TikTok ban requires its Chinese parent company ByteDance to divest from its U.S. operations if the app is to remain available in the country. Specifically, the ban demands that ByteDance sell TikTok to a company that the U.S. government doesn't classify as controlled by a "foreign adversary" such as China. 

If ByteDance fails to do this yet continues to operate in the U.S., TikTok could be hit with a fine of approximately $850 billion, composed of penalties reaching up to $5,000 for each of its 170 million users within the country. While ByteDance's recent valuation of over $400 billion is no small chunk of change, it's still less than half of this gargantuan potential fine. This means ByteDance will be forced to shut down its U.S. operations unless it sells to an approved company.

Signed into law by former president Joe Biden, the TikTok ban was initially scheduled to take effect from Jan. 19. As this was just one day prior to Trump's inauguration, the White House made clear it would not enforce the ban during this brief period, leaving the matter to the incoming administration. 

However, despite his own efforts to ban TikTok during his first term as president, Trump's views on the popular app appear to have changed. Preferring to "keep this sucker around," one of Trump's first acts as president was to issue a temporary delay on enforcing the ban, which allowed TikTok to remain in the U.S. until April 5. He then issued a second delay just one day before that April deadline, pushing the TikTok ban back until June 19.

TL;DR: Unblock Redtube from Texas with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

More than a third of U.S. states have introduced age verification laws for online adult content, including Texas. In response, sites like Redtube have banned access for users in those locations. That means millions of users in Texas would be unable to access RedTube, if it were not for this clever hack.

If you want to unblock porn sites like Redtube for free from Texas, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock Redtube for free in Texas

VPNs are useful tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other locations. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like Redtube from anywhere in the world.

Unblock Redtube 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 a location that supports access to Redtube

4. Visit Redtube

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 unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like Redtube without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to Redtube before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to sites like Redtube, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing content restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for Redtube?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like Redtube, 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 streaming speeds free from throttling

• 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 generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock Redtube for free in Texas with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Create anything, even NSFW art, with a lifetime subscription to Imagiyo for only $39.97.

Digital creativity has never been more accessible, yet many of us remember the days when crafting a single image meant wrestling with layers and plugins for hours on end. Now there’s a way to generate stunning visuals in seconds simply by typing a description of what you have in mind.

Imagiyo uses Stable Diffusion AI alongside FLUX AI to turn text prompts into high-quality images ready for commercial use, and there aren’t many limits to what you can create. Here’s what that means.

What art can you make with Imagiyo

What do you want to make first? It only takes a brief description to put Imagiyo’s advanced algorithms to work, and unlike other image generators, Imagiyo actually lets you really follow your creativity. Craft stunning landscapes, visualize characters from books, or go for something a little more daring. Imagiyo supports NSFW content creation. Just set your prompts to private and let your mind run wild.

Imagiyo’s commercial-use license means you can take some of the images you generate and incorporate them into client projects, social media campaigns, or personal portfolios without fear of copyright issues.

Each month, you receive 500 image-generation credits and can submit up to two prompts at once. Unused credits roll over, so you never lose access to your creative potential. Best of all, Imagiyo delivers your purchased engine updates and feature improvements automatically, ensuring you always work with the latest AI models.

See Deal

StackSocial prices subject to change

Opens in a new window Credit: Imagiyo Imagiyo AI Image Generator: Lifetime Subscription (Standard Plan) $39.97
$495 Save $455.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Unblock YouPorn from Florida with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

More than a third of U.S. states have introduced age verification laws for online adult content, including Florida.

After the introduction of these ID requirements, YouPorn has restricted access to millions of potential users in Florida. We're not going to get into the reasons for this situation, because it's complicated. But you know what's straightforward? The workaround.

If you want to unblock porn sites like YouPorn for free from Florida, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock YouPorn for free in Florida

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure server in another location. This straightforward process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can access sites like YouPorn from anywhere in the world.

Unblock YouPorn 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 a location that supports access to YouPorn

4. Visit YouPorn

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 unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free-trial peiods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites like YouPorn without actually spending anything. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you the opportunity to temporarily retain access to YouPorn before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for YouPorn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking porn sites like YouPorn, 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 streaming speeds free from throttling

• 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 generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Unblock YouPorn for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites like xHamster with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Access to porn sites like xHamster is restricted in many locations around the world. There are obvious and legitimate reasons for these restrictions, but there is something to be said for retaining your right to online freedom. When the time is right, you should be able to bypass content restrictions to access sites like xHamster without hassle.

If you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like xHamster for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock xHamster for free

VPNs are tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions to secure access to porn sites like xHamster from anywhere in the world. It sounds complicated, but the process is actually really simple.

Unblock xHamster by following these 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 a location that supports access to xHamster

4. Unblock xHamster

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 unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling to a location without access to your favorite sites.

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

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like xHamster, 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

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• 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 generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock xHamster for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Manchester City vs. Wydad AC in the 2025 Club World Cup for free on DAZN. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The first round of 2025 Club World Cup fixtures showcases some really interesting matchups, including Manchester City vs. Wydad AC. The Premier League side will be favorites to win this opening game, but Wydad AC will do everything they can to upset the odds.

If you want to watch Manchester City vs. Wydad AC in the 2025 Club World Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Manchester City vs. Wydad AC?

Manchester City vs. Wydad AC in the 2025 Club World Cup kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on June 18. This fixture takes place at the Lincoln Financial Field.

How to watch Manchester City vs. Wydad AC for free

Manchester City vs. Wydad AC in the 2025 Club World Cup is available to live stream for free on DAZN.

The Club World Cup is free to stream all around the world, but if you're having problems accessing this streaming platform on your network, you can consider using a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in another location. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so that you can secure access to free live streams from anywhere in the world.

Unblock free live streams of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup 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 to DAZN

4. Visit DAZN

5. Stream the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup 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 Manchester City vs. Wydad AC in the 2025 Club World Cup without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream the Club World Cup 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 live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for DAZN?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on DAZN, 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 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 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 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Manchester City vs. Wydad AC in the 2025 Club World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To panic.

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

WORRY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Losing life.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

DYING

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Righteous.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

MORAL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Japanese animation.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for June 18 Hurdle Word 4 answer

ANIME

Final Hurdle hint

A supply.

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

CACHE

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

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Drone is a buzzword term in both amateur and pro photography right now. That’s because drones are opening up a world of aerial possibilities. Camera drones don’t just take nice snaps from on high, they’re also packed with features to literally raise your photography game. It’s no wonder that professional photographers and filmmakers are deploying drones as standard these days.

Aerial shots were a headache when drones first flew onto the scene, with users needing to combine photography prowess with the thumb dexterity of video gamers. Now, manufacturers have released camera drones that everyone can master. The photography features and flight modes make pro level aerial photography a breeze. And some of the cameras you’ll find on drones are seriously impressive.

The real difficulty is knowing which drone is best for you. It all depends on your skill level — are you a drone newbie? Or a frequent flier? — as well as your grasp of the spec. As with any tech, it can be hard to navigate the jargon and find a device that delivers what you want and need. In this case, flight features and camera capabilities. To help get you started, we’ve done some all important research and put together a list of the best camera drones around right now. Read on and prepare for takeoff.

What are the benefits of drone photography?

First and foremost, drone photography is about getting the shots that you wouldn't normally be able to get. You can get an aerial perspective and great long-range shots (assuming the camera is up to the job). Drone camera tech will also let you zoom in and get into unique angles. You can fly a drone into areas that would be otherwise hard to reach by foot and capture awesome action shots.

What features to camera drones offer?

Drones can be as advanced or as basic as you want. As always, it comes down to how much money you’re willing to spend. It's worth knowing what they can do, though. Here’s some spec to look out for when choosing a camera drone:

App — Some drone manufacturers will provide a specialist app that helps you control both the drone and your images. It may come equipped with GPS from mapping out routes and getting images from precise locations. You might also have the capability to upload images directly to social media.

Flight Modes — These aren't necessarily specific to camera drones but intelligent flight features are a bonus. These might include return to home (RTH), which means it automatically flies back to you, or altitude hold for hovering mid-air. Another useful feature is object avoidance, which prevent mid-air collisions.

Gimbal — You want pictures and footage that are reliable and well stabilised. The best drones will use a two or three-axis motorised gimbal to keep the camera steady.

Picture Quality — Naturally you want the best possible HD quality if you’re spending big bucks. 1080p is a decent resolution for casual use, though 4K is standard these days. Some camera drones are capable of the even sharper 8K.

Range — The kind of range you need will depend on how you intend to use the drone. But it’s safe to assume that more advanced drones will fly and transmit images back much farther. Powerful drones can transmit from several miles away.

Zoom — It's a standard camera feature, but zoom on drones can be controlled via smart devices or even automatically. Look out for other features such as object identification, motion tracking, and "dronie" (a selfie with added drone panache).

How do you fly a drone?

If you know your way around a games controller, it’s a breeze to learn. Drones are controlled by either a handheld controller or a smart device app. You can also fly drones using FPV (first person view). FPV drones put you in the figurative cockpit by transmitting the drone’s point-of-view to your device or a special set of FPV goggles (a bit like a VR headset). They’re most commonly used for drone racing but can also be used for photography, as you'll see from some of our selections below.

Do you need to register a drone?

If your drone weighs over 250 grams, you have to register it with the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) for a small fee. Piloting an unregistered drone is illegal. Go to CAA.co.uk for the rules and regulations and CAA Consultations for registration. Check it out even if your drone weighs under 250g, just to be sure.

What's the best drone for photography?

We have searched high and low for the very best drones with cameras, and highlighted a small selection of devices to consider. We always recommend doing plenty of your own research before investing in a drone, but this is a great liftoff point.

These are the best drones with cameras in 2025.

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: Southeastern-based NFL division

• Green: College postseason games

• Blue: Women's soccer champions

• Purple: Misspelled MLB teams

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: NFL South Teams

• Green: College Football Bowl Games

• Blue: Last Four NWSL Champions

• Purple: Anagrams of MLB Teams

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 #268 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• NFL South Teams - ATLANTA, CAROLINA, NEW ORLEANS, TAMPA BAY

• College Football Bowl Games - HOLIDAY, MUSIC CITY, ROSE, SUGAR

• Last Four NWSL Champions - GOTHAM, PRIDE, SPIRIT, THORNS

• Anagrams of MLB Teams - GLEANS, ROASTS, STEM, TRAIPSE

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.

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 June 18 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: Gloomy weather

• Green: Precisely

• Blue: Parts of a group

• Purple: Anatomy terms

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: Qualities of a rainy day

• Green: Squarely

• Blue: Contents of a pod

• Purple: Body parts plus a starting letter

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 #738 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Qualities of a rainy day: COLD, GRAY, WET, WINDY

• Squarely: DEAD, EXACTLY, RIGHT, SMACK

• Contents of a pod: ASTRONAUT, COFFEE, PEA, WHALE

• Body parts plus a starting letter: BARM, LEAR, RANKLE, SHIP

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 June 18

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.

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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 18 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Down time

The words are mood-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are ways to describe a somber mood.

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 Sadness

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for June 18

• Melancholy

• Blue

• Woebegone

• Sadness

• Doleful

• Teary

• Gloomy

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.

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 June 18 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 June 17, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To eat.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter M.

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...

MUNCH.

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 June 18

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.

The president plans to sign another executive order this week that would give the popular video app more time to change its ownership structure.

The bill was a significant step toward giving the cryptocurrency industry the credibility and legitimacy it has sought, without limitations it has worked to head off.

The fastest-growing video game in the world might just be a game within a game. Grow a Garden, labeled as an experience within Roblox, is skyrocketing in usage.

The New York Times reported it topped out at 16.4 million active players over the weekend, a new high. For context, that's more players than even Fortnite's peak.

So, what is Grow a Garden? Well, it's basically the 2025 kids' answer to the millennial Farmville fad. Grow a Garden lets users grow virtual crops and tend to a digital herd of animals, which you can then sell for in-game currency. You log off for a bit, come back, and see your crop come in.

Wrote the Times:

"Plots begin barren before users transform them into fantastical safaris of shimmering frogs and prancing monkeys that each have their own special abilities. Suddenly, a player’s dismal square brims with vibrant vegetation and beanstalks shooting into the sky."

Search around online, and you can see lots of clips of folks showing off Roblox gardens and talking about just how popular it has become.

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

While the, ahem, growth of the gardening simulator is stunning, it's not totally surprising. There has long been a demand for more passive gaming. Again, think Farmville or even RollerCoaster Tycoon. Mashable's Chase DiBenedetto also recently wrote about so-called "cozy gaming" going mainstream with hits like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing. These games are almost meditative, fostering a sense of comfort as you create homes, or homesteads, and build up your own cozy little world.

So, in many ways, it tracks that Roblox's Grow a Garden has taken off. If you haven't yet, it might just be time to start planting seeds.

Meta's Llama model has memorized Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone so well that it can reproduce verbatim excerpts from 42 percent of the book, according to a new study.

Researchers from Stanford, Cornell, and West Virginia University analyzed dozens of books from the now-infamous Books3 dataset, a collection of pirated books used to train Meta's Llama models. Books3 is also at the center of a copyright infringement lawsuit against Meta, Kadrey v. Meta Platforms, Inc. The study's authors say their findings could have major implications for AI companies facing similar lawsuits.

According to the research paper, the Llama 3.1 model "memorizes some books, like Harry Potter and 1984, almost entirely." Specifically, the study found that Llama 3.1 has memorized 42 percent of the first Harry Potter book so well that it can reproduce verbatim excerpts at least 50 percent of the time. Overall, Llama 3.1 could reproduce excerpts from 91 percent of the book, though not as consistently.

"The extent of verbatim memorization of books from the Books3 dataset is more significant than previously described," said the paper. But the researchers also discovered that "memorization varies widely from model to model and from book to book within each model, as well as varying in different parts of individual books." For example, the study estimated that Llama 3.1 only memorized 0.13 percent of Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey, one of the lead plaintiffs in the class action copyright suit against Meta.

So, while some of the paper's findings seem damning, don't call it a smoking gun for plaintiffs in AI copyright infringement cases.

"These results give everyone in the AI copyright debate something to latch on to," wrote journalist Timothy B. Lee in his Understanding AI newsletter. "Divergent results like these could cast doubt on whether it makes sense to lump J.K. Rowling, Richard Kadrey, and thousands of other authors together in a single mass lawsuit. And that could work in Meta’s favor, since most authors lack the resources to file individual lawsuits."

Why is Llama able to reproduce some books more than others? "I suspect that the difference is because Harry Potter is a much more famous book. It's widely quoted and I'm sure that substantial excerpts from it on third-party websites found their way into the training data on the web," said James Grimmelmann, a professor of digital and information law at Cornell University, who was cited in the paper.

What this also shows, Grimmelmann said, is that "AI companies can make choices that increase or reduce memorization. It's not an inevitable feature of AI; they have control over it."

Meta and other AI companies have argued that using copyrighted works to train their models is protected under fair use, a complex legal doctrine. However, the extent of memorization could complicate those arguments.

“Yes, I do think that the likelihood that LLMs are memorizing more than previously thought changes the copyright analysis,” Robert Brauneis, a professor with the George Washington University Law School, said in an email to Mashable. He concluded that the study’s findings could ultimately weaken Meta’s fair use argument.

We asked Meta for comment on the study's findings, and we'll update this article if we receive a response.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

When Trump Mobile and its flagship T1 smartphone were announced Monday morning, the internet’s tech-savvy corners lit up with skepticism. The specs sounded familiar — maybe too familiar — and it didn’t take long for people to start speculating that the so-called "American-made" phone might be a rebranded import dressed up in gold trim.

Trump Mobile is the latest in a long line of white-label ventures under DTTM Corporation, the Trump Organization’s trademark licensing arm run by Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. The phone, priced at $499 with a $100 preorder deposit, is being marketed alongside a new mobile service that costs $47.45 per month — a nod to Trump’s status as the 45th and 47th US president. That rate gets you unlimited talk, text, data, and other perks, though it’s still double the cost of similar mobile virutal network operators like Boost and Mint.

SEE ALSO: How would the Trump T1 phone compare to the iPhone 16?

As for the hardware, the T1 is wrapped in a gold-colored casing and features a 6.8-inch punch-hole AMOLED display, an under-display fingerprint sensor, and "AI Face Unlock." Notably, the product page for the phone contains no details on the phone's processor. It’s set to launch in September, just in time to compete with Apple’s iPhone 17 lineup — timing that feels deliberate, especially given Trump’s long-standing push to get Apple to shift iPhone manufacturing to the United States.

But that’s where the math breaks down. Core components like AMOLED displays, VCSEL sensors for face unlock, and camera modules aren’t manufactured domestically. That means producing a truly American-made smartphone at scale is nearly impossible with current infrastructure.

The only smartphone that even approaches a "Made in America" label is the Librem 5 USA, and it comes with some serious trade-offs. According to its own spec sheet, the device lacks face unlock, 5G support, and even an OLED display. Yet it still sells for $1,599. That price point aligns with what analysts estimate an iPhone could cost if Apple shifted full-scale manufacturing back to the U.S.

According to Apple Insider, tech analyst Max Weinbach posted on X that the T1 appears to be a repackaged Wingtech REVVL 7 Pro 5G, manufactured by Chinese supplier Luxshare. The same base phone is currently available on Amazon in its T-Mobile variant for $169.

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

The phones aren't a 1-to-1 match, however. To address the differences in appearance, Weinbach explained that Chinese ODMs (original design manufacturers) often provide a base model with customizable features. Buyers can adjust RAM, storage, or casing with minimal added cost, allowing for devices that look or perform slightly differently while still being the same under the hood.

Even if you’re skeptical of tech sleuths on social media, industry analysts are saying the same thing. Speaking to CNBC, Francisco Jeronimo, vice president at market research firm International Data Corp., said it would be "completely impossible" for the T1 to be assembled or fully manufactured in the U.S. The local manufacturing capabilities just don’t exist for that, not at this price, not at this scale.

Has A.I. become a part of your daily work routines? We want to know.

TL;DR: Hurry and grab lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more with a Microsoft Office 2019 license for Windows at A$45 through 20 July.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows AU$45
AU$350 Save AU$305 Get Deal

Your credit card is exhausted from all of today’s subscription fees. While you probably don’t want to cancel Peacock and never see the ending of Yellowstone or say goodbye to two-day shipping with Prime, you could swap your Microsoft 365 subscription for a Microsoft Office lifetime license.

Instead of spending A$10 monthly (or A$107 yearly), you can pay once and use the apps as much as you’d like. For a little while longer, the Windows software suite is on sale for A$45 through 20 July.

What apps are included?

Microsoft Office 2019 isn’t the newest version available, but it’s the cheaper one for people who just need to use the apps and don’t care about what they look like inside. However, it does have a classic, timeless design.

Here's a list of the apps you get:

• Word

• Excel

• PowerPoint

• Outlook

• OneNote

• Publisher

• Access

Differences between Microsoft 365 and a lifetime license

This purchase is a no-brainer if you aren’t taking full advantage of Microsoft 365’s OneDrive storage, mobile app access, and cloud-based backups. Those just wanting the apps should be more than comfortable with a Microsoft Office download.

You might actually like this license more than the subscription. The apps are downloaded directly onto your PC instead of hosted on the cloud. While this does mean there are no built-in cloud backups, you don’t have to worry about the hassle of trying to work offline.

Plus, now that Microsoft added Copilot’s AI features to Microsoft 365, you might be looking for a way to escape them. Not everyone is crazy about having a virtual robot interfere with their work, and these classic apps won’t ever bug you about it.

The price drop on this lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2019 for Windows won't last long, so get your download for A$45 through 20 July at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE $35.97: As of June 17, eligible Prime members can score three free months of Kindle Unlimited in honor of Prime Day. Usually $11.99 per month, that's a total savings of $35.97.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Unlimited Kindle Unlimited Get 3 months for free (save $11.99/month) Get Deal

It's a good time to be a book lover. Ahead of Prime Day — which is now a four-day event, from July 8 through 11 — Amazon is offering three free months of Kindle Unlimited to eligible Prime members. And that's on top of an equally good deal on Audible Premium Plus. Between the two, you can really stack up your summer reading list.

Usually $11.99 per month, new subscribers can sign up for three months of Kindle Unlimited for $0. That ends up being a total savings of $35.97. There's currently no date listed as to when this deal ends, but we expect it will stick around at least through the end of Prime Day on July 11. If you don't see the deal on the promo page, it's likely because you previously signed up for Kindle Unlimited. The trial period is not available to current or past subscribers.

SEE ALSO: Download 100s of free romance books in the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day

What's so great about Kindle Unlimited? Allow me, a loyal subscriber, to break it down for you. First of all, you don't need to own a Kindle device to access Kindle Unlimited, though I do highly suggest grabbing one while they're (most likely) discounted during Prime Day. You can download the Kindle app on an iPad or your phone to enjoy the Unlimited reading experience just about anywhere. As a subscriber, you'll unlock unrestricted access to over 4 million digital books, from classics to recent bestsellers, as well as thousands of audiobooks, and even magazine subscriptions like People Magazine and Travel + Leisure, if you're into that. No need to wait for a monthly credit like Audible; you can get any title with the Kindle Unlimited logo underneath it for free with your subscription at any time.

Your subscription will automatically renew at full price, currently $11.99 per month, once the promotional period ends. Be sure to set a reminder to cancel if you want to avoid those charges. Although, there's a good chance you'll be a loyal Kindle Unlimited subscriber after three free months of reading.

Best laptop and tablet deals

• Amazon Fire Max 11 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (2023 Model) — $174.99 (List Price $229.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Android Tablet — $269.99

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (2025, M4) — $986.95 (List Price $1199.00)

• Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, 13.8-inch — $1,156.26 (List Price $1599.99)

• Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 chip — $1,429.00 (List Price $1599.00)