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The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026:

AcrossTesla or Toyota

• The answer is Car.

What the "M" of BMX stands for

• The answer is Moto.

Leafy lunch

• The answer is Salad.

Weighing device

• The answer is Scale.

"To be," in Latin

• The answer is Esse.

DownPepsi and Coke

• The answer is Colas.

Dickens's "___ of Two Cities"

• The answer is A Tale.

Took to another floor, as the [circled letters]

• The answer is Rode.

Apple computers

• The answer is Macs.

Dir. from San Francisco to Santa Monica

• The answer is Sse.

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

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

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

A new clip of Interview with the Vampire Season 3 has been released, showing Lestat (Sam Reid) not only finding out about Louis' (Jacob Anderson) titular interview, but also hearing its readers unfavourably compare him to his love rival Armand (Assad Zaman). Understandably, he is not having a good time.

Renamed The Vampire Lestat, the third season of Interview with the Vampire covers the second novel in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. In the book, Lestat joins an '80s rock band, goes on tour, and recounts his past both before and after meeting Louis. 

The television adaptation tweaks a few elements from the novel, moving its events several decades forward judging by the clip's inclusion of video calls and Beyonce references. However, it looks as though we can expect both Lestat's musical inclinations and his on-and-off again relationship with Louis to remain.

The Vampire Lestat premieres June on AMC and AMC+.

The first part of Bridgerton's fourth season left us on cliffhanger worthy of throwing glassware, with three little words hanging in the air: "Be my mistress." And they'll stay there, stitched into the hem of Part 2, which continues the season's trials, trysts, and tribulations, and moves into more serious territory (don't worry, it's still Bridgerton, not Hamnet).

Season 4, Part 2 sees the Shondaland/Netflix series moving between joy, forbidden love, and tragedy, with soapy fairy tale twists and swoon-worthy romance decked out in the series' signature pop Regency aesthetic. Steamy and sad, the season sees showrunner Jess Brownell lean into considerations of love beyond society's rules, while laying the groundwork for one hell of a Season 5.

SEE ALSO: 'Bridgerton' Season 4 soundtrack, song-by-song Bridgerton Season 4, Part 2 continues its Cinderella story to talk about class. We love Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha). Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

As in the first part of Season 4, Bridgerton's second half continues its Downton Abbey turn to foreground a story of class, using the fairy tale framework of Cinderella to question society's antiquated rules on marriage.

Importantly, it's the first season of Bridgerton we've really gotten to know members of the Ton's working class, a thread the series continues to weave through the second half, seeing characters like housekeepers Mrs. Varley (Lorraine Ashbourne) and Mrs. Wilson (Geraldine Alexander) as indispensable members of the Ton, keepers of information, and characters in their own right — including our protagonist.

Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha), who was previously a servant to her evil stepmother, Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung), and her daughters, Rosamund (Michelle Mao) and Posy (Isabella Wei), has taken up employment in the Bridgerton household. That's all thanks to the man she's secretly in love with, the Ton's most eligible bachelor, Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson). He still doesn't know she's the masked lady in silver from the first episode's masquerade ball, and she's still running from Lady Araminta's wrath, with Leung carving a sublime villain of the season's antagonist. Honestly, step on my shoe clips.

Lady Araminta Gun (Katie Leung) with her daughters Rosamund (Michelle Mao) and Posy (Isabella Wei) in "Bridgerton." Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Over four drama-packed episodes, Bridgerton sees Sophie remain steadfast on her reasons for not becoming a mistress, while Benedict simply cannot understand it from his position of rich male privilege. Joining the ranks of Bridgerton's multi-season yearnissance, Leung and Thompson's chemistry never falters for a second, making Sophie and Benedict a genuinely cheer-worthy duo amid potential scandal.

Here, Bridgerton really digs into the practicalities of "improper" matches like never before, with Ha giving an impeccable performance through Sophie's frustration at her options, lamenting "love in the face of generations of established practice." The series also gives Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) a complex narrative arc with her reaction to Sophie and Benedict's attachment, gifting Gemmell and Thompson many a dramatic scene unpacking the nature of "appropriate" marriage matches. Plus, series favourite Jonathan Bailey is excellent this season as the devil's advocate, Anthony Bridgerton, with a brief return seeing him lay down the societal law for his brother.

Bridgerton Season 4, Part 2 balances steam with solemnity. Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) and Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) in "Bridgerton." Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

While Season 4's first half focused on a romantic slow burn, the second half pulls directly from Bridgerton author Julia Quinn's books for some deliriously steamy sequences (social media feeds will inevitably slosh about bath sex for a while to come).

However, while the series lives up to its raunchy Regency reputation, Bridgerton parallels such vivacity by venturing into its most sombre territory yet. For a season that by no means will be its last, Bridgerton Season 4 bakes in many "ends." The imminent departure of Lady Danbury (Adjoa Andoh) from Queen Charlotte's (Golda Rosheuvel) side sees these two impeccable actors giving the season's diamond performances — an unspoken moment between them in the season finale will stay with me forever.

Featured Video For You ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 has the internet upset for all the wrong reasons

However, there are more permanent ends afoot. Bridgerton has dabbled with loss, mainly through the omnipresent absence of Bridgerton patriarch Edmund, but death has always happened offscreen or long ago. A hard clash with the splendour, romance, and pink fluffy set decoration of the season, elements of Part 2 find themselves draped in mourning black. It's one of the events of the Bridgerton books which readers know well has been sitting on the horizon from the very first Netflix season. I won't spoil it here, but suffice to say main characters are sent down the "winding and illogical path" of grief and guilt — a hard pivot from gossip, filling one's dance card, and taking tea.

It's relatively unchartered territory for the series, allowing production designer Alison Gartshore, costume designer John Glaser, and hair and makeup designer Nic Collins to consider what Bridgerton looks like if Wednesday Addams landed in the Ton. But it also allows for quietly moving performances from two characters we'll see much more of in the future.

Bridgerton Season 4, Part 2 lays the groundwork for one hell of a Season 5. Michaela (Masali Baduza) and Francesca (Hannah Dodd). Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Much of Bridgerton Season 4 concerns lovers hailing from opposing worlds, drawn to each other like a moth to a flame despite not fitting the Ton's social rules for marriage matches. As Julie Andrews' always comforting Lady Whistledown voice-over says, "The draw of two differing desires can be torture at best… Perhaps the desire is not the problem, but the world itself." This season, Sophie and Benedict struggle with the impossibility of their match across classes, and through subtle hints, keen-eyed viewers will see a long-overdue journey on the horizon.

The end of Part 1 saw the unexpected arrival of Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza), the cousin of John Stirling (Victor Alli), whom we met at the end of Season 3. (This character is the gender-flipped version of Michael Stirling from the books.) Over the second part of Season 4, the show establishes the lived-in friendship between Francesca, John, and Michaela, whose connection in Quinn's books is one of inseparable Three Musketeers energy, and sets up the hesitant, unspoken draw between Francesca and Michaela.

Hannah Dodd lets Francesca breathe a little with a few moments of unbridled emotion in Season 4, assisted by muffled sound design and close camera angles. However, Baduza deserves much more room to unpack Michaela's "chaos," as a "woman of passion" whose charm commands a room — instead, the majority of her character's emotions and actions from Quinn's books are relegated to Benedict this season.

Without spoiling things, many fans might be disappointed not to see the sapphic storyline we've been waiting for since Michaela's character was revealed in Season 3. However, to me, this is an exciting clue that we may be looking at a Season 5 that foregrounds queer desire and love, instead of relegating it to a side storyline. This season, Bridgerton leans into a different kind of yearning: one of being able to live freely, outside of society's rules. Benedict tells Sophie, "Society should not be allowed to dictate the rules of how one lives life. Or who one loves," and it feels like Bridgerton is setting up Season 5 on a platform of love and pride, not scandal. "Love does not always look how one expects," Michaela says.

As always, Bridgerton knows the power of the long game, delivering an action-packed, fascinating, swoon-worthy, and aesthetically magnificent Season 4, while holding its cards close to its chest for Season 5.

Bridgerton is now streaming on Netflix.

TL;DR: Lego is running Star Wars make and take events on March 7-8. A limited quantity of Lego Star Wars Lightsabers will be available for free at participating stores in the UK.

Lego regularly runs make and take events in which participants can walk away with an exclusive set without spending anything. These free giveaways always cause a stir, but nothing gets the people going like Star Wars.

Visitors to select Lego Stores on March 7 (from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. GMT) and March 8 (from 12-2 p.m. GMT) can participate in an awesome Lego Star Wars Lightsaber make and take event. This free giveaway is intended for children aged 10+, and the model is available on a first-come-first-serve basis, at participating locations in the UK, while supplies last. Will we see similar events scheduled for the U.S.? That's down to the Will of the Force.

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We should note that this Lego Star Wars Lightsaber is not available for purchase. So by taking part in this special event, Star Wars fans can take home something that money literally cannot buy. The only catch is that you're limited to one build per participant, but come on — you can't just turn up and stock up on these exclusive Star Wars sets.

Score this free Lego Star Wars Lightsaber at your nearest participating store on March 7-8.

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Feb. 26. Sapphic Shelf Explosion, hosted by Year of Queer Lit, is offering free sapphic books for your e-reader.

Stop what you're doing. Another Stuff Your Kindle Day just went live.

This has been a glorious year for bookworms. The quantity and quality of Stuff Your Kindle Days has been unprecedented, and the schedule is showing no signs of slowing down. We've got two events on the calendar for this week, but for now, the focus is firmly on the Sapphic Shelf Explosion. This 24-hour giveaway, hosted by Year of Queer Lit, offers participants the chance to download 100s of sapphic books for free or just $0.99. And better yet, everything that you download is yours to keep forever.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best Kindles to help you find the perfect e-reader

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

The Sapphic Shelf Explosion takes place on Feb. 26.

Stuff Your Kindle Days tend to fall into one of two categories. Some events are live for a number of days, offering you the chance to take stock of your options and download at your leisure. Others are live for 24 hours, which adds a layer of intensity to the experience. The Sapphic Shelf Explosion falls into the latter category, but there's no need to panic. You've still got plenty of time to check everything out, make a plan of priorities, and stock up. It's not like you're going to be spending big anyway.

Which ebooks are free?

The Sapphic Shelf Explosion is offering free or heavily discounted sapphic books that fall into these sub-genres:

• Romance

• Fantasy

• Historical Fiction

• Mystery

• Erotica

• Contemporary

• Horror/Psychological/Thriller

• Sci-Fi/Paranormal

• Young Adult

Anyone can participate in Stuff Your Kindle Day. Kindle and Kobo readers can download these sapphic for free.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + Kindle Unlimited (3 Months) $109.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

These popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Plus, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase.

TL;DR: Live stream West Indies 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 action continues with a couple of huge games on Feb. 26. West Indies take on South Africa, quickly followed by an all-important clash as India meet Zimbabwe. After the first round of Super 8 fixtures, South Africa and West Indies have the advantage in Group 1.

The winner of West Indies vs. South Africa will take a huge step towards qualifying for the semi finals. We're expecting a tight game between two unbeaten sides.

If you want to watch West Indies 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 West Indies vs. South Africa?

West Indies vs. South Africa in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 4:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 26. This game takes place at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

How to watch West Indies vs. South Africa for free

West Indies 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 West Indies 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 before recovering your investment.

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

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.

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

An expression.

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

IDIOM

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A popular Canadian.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 26, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

DRAKE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A mass.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 26 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 26, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

CLUMP

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Dignity.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

PRIDE

Final Hurdle hint

Hits the slopes.

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

SKIER

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

Have you spotted the Moon looking a bit fuller night after night? This is because we are approaching the Full Moon, a phase in the lunar cycle.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Wednesday, Feb. 25, the Moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 70% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

With just your naked eye, you'll be able to see the Mares Tranquillitatis and Serenitatis are both easy to spot, as well as the Tycho Crater. With binoculars you'll also be able to see the Mare Nectaris, and the Alphonsus and Endymion Craters. Add a telescope to this line up and you'll see much more, including the Apollo 16 and 14 landing spots, and the Rima Ariadaeus.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on March 3. The last Full Moon was on Feb. 1.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit the Earth. Over the course of this period, it moves through eight recognisable phases. While the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of its surface lit by the Sun changes as it continues along its path. The shifts in sunlight create the different appearances we see from Earth, ranging from a fully illuminated Moon to a thin sliver or near darkness. The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

I walked into Unpacked, the event in San Francisco where the company unveiled its Galaxy s26 lineup, as ... well, not quite a card-carrying Apple fan, but let's just say my iPhone, iPad, Airpods, and Macbook came with. I was there to report on the launch, not to be tempted by anything an Android phone could offer.

The last thing I expected was the Galaxy S26 Ultra giving me a really compelling reason to switch to the Samsung side. But that's exactly what happened when I spent some hands-on time at Unpacked with the top-of-the-range device.

It's not about the thinness and lightness of the S26 Ultra, though that is noticeable. The deep, shiny "cobalt violet" shade is very much my vibe, though even the most alluring purple color isn't likely to make me end a 17-year relationship with iPhones.

And it isn't about the Ultra's camera, as undeniably fantastic as its specs are. I did think I might prefer that slim 3-camera notch on the back to the hideously large bump (which we're supposed to call a plateau) on the iPhone 17 ... until I put the Galaxy S26 Ultra on a table, screen up ... and it tilted noticeably to one side. Oh, I found myself thinking, so that's why Apple went with the bump.

No, it was one privacy screen feature that bewitched me. Not the S26 Ultra's ability to prevent what Samsung called "shoulder surfing," but an option the company barely flagged at all in its keynote — the ability to limit the privacy screen to your notifications alone.

Privacy, please Don't ruin the surprise! Credit: Chris Taylor / Mashable

Sure, "shoulder surfing" can sometimes be a problem in a crowded situation, such as public transit, if you happen to be looking at something sensitive. (But really, can't it just wait until you get off the bus?)

In our smartphone-driven world, however, there's a problem we come across more frequently — a situation where we actively want to share something on our screen, be it a hilarious meme or a takeout menu, but feel anxious about the possibility of revealing messages popping up while we do so.

I'm not the only person who has had to get very good at pretending I didn't just see that very personal message pop up on a friend's phone while they were really eager to show me something else. Nor am I the only smartphone user who tries hard to remember to activate "Do Not Disturb" before such potentially embarrassing moments.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: Comparing price, specs, and features

So if Samsung can just block out some of the screen for folks at your shoulder, that's a game changer. And it seems they can, really effectively. In the photo above, you can see how the Ultra is barely tilted away, but the notification is already very greyed-out. Your friends (if they're good friends) don't usually want to see your private missives anyway; even this minimal angle assists their brains in blocking it out before it disappears.

Tilt the screen any further, and the notification is as thoroughly redacted as a reluctantly-released DOJ document.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's privacy screen settings are surprisingly customizable, too. The ability to pick and choose which apps always get the privacy screen treatment is a no-brainer when you think about it; you're probably always going to want to keep your banking app private, for example. We're sure you're thinking of other examples right now. The point is, you should be free to do you.

So is this built-in, highly customizable privacy shield enough to make me switch to the Samsung side of the smartphone divide? The honest answer right now, for this iPhone fanboy, is "maybe." And that should terrify Apple into action, assuming they aren't already working on a similar feature for the iPhone 18.

Your move, Tim Cook.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're comedic.

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.

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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: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 26, 2026 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: A marker

• Green: They're the same color

• Blue: Comedic

• Purple: "___ and thank you!"

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Pivotal point

• Green: Green things

• Blue: Elements of joke telling

• Purple: "___ Please"

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 #991 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Pivotal point: CROSSROADS, LANDMARK, MILESTONE, WATERSHED

• Green things: GRASSHOPPER, SHAMROCK, STATUE OF LIBERTY, WASABI

• Elements of joke telling: CALLBACK, PUNCHLINE, SETUP, TIMING

• "___ Please": ATTENTION, CHECK, DRUMROLL, PRETTY

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 February 26, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you always have to have the last word.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 26, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 26, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: What's the attitude!

The words are related to behavior.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe snappy traits.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Talking Back.

NYT Strands word list for February 26

• Trep

• Cute

• Fresh

• Saucy

• Talking Back

• Cheeky

• Sassy

• Impudent

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're fascinated by antique weapons.

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 26, 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 26, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A spear.

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 L.

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...

LANCE

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.

Amazon just announced a change to its Wish List policies: On March 25, the retailer will remove the option to restrict purchases from third-party sellers for list items. Gift purchasers will be able to buy items sold by third parties on people's lists, and their addresses will be shared with the seller for fulfillment.

Creators like Zach Bussey shared a screenshot of the Amazon email on X.

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"When gifts are purchased from your shared or public lists, Amazon needs to provide your shipping address to sellers and delivery partners to fulfill these orders," the email notes. "During the delivery process, your address may become visible to gift purchasers through delivery updates and tracking information."

That isn't new. If a customer has a public list and connects an address to their list in the settings, gift purchasers may receive the customer's address through the seller and delivery partners fulfilling these orders as they share delivery updates and tracking information. The change is that customers will no longer have the option to restrict purchases from third-party sellers on their Lists as of March 25.

SEE ALSO: Amazon shuts down Blue Jay warehouse robot project after less than a year How to take precautions

• Amazon recommends using a P.O. Box or non-residential addresses for lists shared with the public.

• You can also adjust your list privacy to Private or Shared (the latter option specifies who can see the lists) to limit who has access.

• You can also remove your shipping address by tapping the "Shipping Address" field and selecting "None." Ostensibly, the gift buyer would then need to directly contact the Wish List owner to obtain shipping information.

Creators of all kinds, from Twitch streamers to sex workers, use Amazon Wish Lists to receive gifts from their fans. At least one "PSA" is recommending creators "don't get doxxed" and move their lists to Throne, a wishlist platform. On Throne's home page, it says that, "All the creator and fan information stays private and is not shared between parties."

When Anthropic launched years ago, the company wanted an industry-wide "race to the top" in artificial intelligence, instead of a race to the bottom in pursuit of customers and market dominance that would inadvertently lead to catastrophic safety risks.

So Anthropic adopted safety principles and policies that it hoped it competitors would also implement. In some instances, companies, including Google and OpenAI, did, according to Anthropic. Still, Anthropic's hopes didn't "pan out" as the company hoped, according to a blog post it published Tuesday.

The post announced that Anthropic, the maker of the AI chatbot Claude, is altering key safety practices to meet what it views as present-day challenges.

SEE ALSO: Claude apps: How Anthropic will integrate Slack, Canva, and more

Specifically, Anthropic will no longer automatically pause model development if it could be considered dangerous; instead, it will consider its competitors' actions and whether they release models with similar capabilities. Previously, Anthropic committed to safeguards that would reduce its models' absolute risk, regardless of whether other AI developers did the same.

"The policy environment has shifted toward prioritizing AI competitiveness and economic growth, while safety-oriented discussions have yet to gain meaningful traction at the federal level," the company wrote. "We remain convinced that effective government engagement on AI safety is both necessary and achievable, and we aim to continue advancing a conversation grounded in evidence, national security interests, economic competitiveness, and public trust. But this is proving to be a long-term project—not something that is happening organically as AI becomes more capable or crosses certain thresholds."

Though Anthropic said it aims to continue leading on safety, its latest decision reflects the breakneck speed at which competitors are releasing new models.

Anthropic has also been under intense pressure this week by the U.S. Defense Department, which is pressing the company to allow the military to use its AI tools for any purpose, including mass surveillance or the deployment of autonomous weapons without human oversight.

Anthropic has yet to relent on those points in contract negotiations with the Defense Department, reportedly stirring the ire of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who threatened to sever the company's relationship with the military, Axios reports.

Anthropic has participated in an AI pilot program for military-related imagery analysis, along with Google, OpenAI, and xAI, according to the New York Times. Though Claude has been the only chatbot working on the government's classified systems, a Pentagon official said Anthropic could be replaced by another firm.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

TL;DR: Grab Microsoft Windows 11 Pro for only $12.97 (reg. $199) while this deal lasts.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $12.97
$199 Save $186.03   Get Deal

Ready for a faster, more seamless computing experience? Microsoft’s latest operating system delivers exactly that — and Windows 11 Pro is available for just $12.97 (reg. $199) for a limited time. That’s a lifetime license for less than the price of a movie ticket.

Windows 11 Pro comes loaded with a sleek, streamlined interface, improved multitasking tools like Snap Layouts, and enhanced security features, including TPM 2.0, BitLocker, and Smart App Control. It’s built for professionals, creatives, and everyday users alike. Gamers will also appreciate support for DirectX 12 Ultimate, delivering ultra-realistic graphics.

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But the real game-changer is Copilot. This built-in AI assistant helps you work faster by summarizing web pages, generating text or images, opening apps, adjusting settings, or even suggesting code — all without leaving your workflow.

What you’ll get out of this deal:

• Lifetime license for just $12.97

• Windows 10 is being phased out

• Built-in AI assistant Copilot for smarter daily productivity

• Advanced security and pro-level tools

• Seamless design optimized for multitasking and collaboration

• Supports Microsoft Teams, Widgets, and touch-enabled devices

Don’t wait too long to get a lifetime Windows 11 Pro license for $12.97 (reg. $199).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

While some porn performers are out there making six figures a year — or month — many don't. In 2024, it was revealed that the average OnlyFans creator pocketed just $1,300 a year. But that sum was a calculation based on OnlyFans' numbers. What do actual 18+ creators say they earn?

The average creator earns about $58,700 a year from adult work, or about $5,000 per month, according to a survey from adult industry research firm SWR Data.

SEE ALSO: How I make six figures on OnlyFans without taking my clothes off

SWR Data conducted the State of the Creator survey in fall 2025, which included over 550 adult creators. It found that just 35 percent of creators said they were entirely dependent on their adult work for their survival, while 51 percent said they earn income outside the adult industry.

Newer creators earn around $16,000 annually on average, while that number shoots up to $74,000 for those who've been in the industry for five years or more. And for creators who've both been in the industry for 5+ years and only work in adult, the average income is more than $111,000, according to SWR Data.

"While many factors influence who earns how much...one factor correlates with higher incomes more than anything else: the amount of time spent in the industry," SWR Data wrote in a Substack post.

More research is to be done about the earnings of adult stars — but SWR Data's Substack stressed that the top one percent certainly doesn't speak for everyone.

The infamous dating platform Ashley Madison just announced a massive global rebrand, and the sheer audacity of its new PR spin is worth talking about.

Ashley Madison is officially dropping the “affairs” label and repositioning itself as a privacy-first destination for "discreet dating.” But if you’ve kept up with the company’s track record, you have a right to feel a little skeptical.

SEE ALSO: OnlyFans 'baits and switches' customers with false promises, lawsuit claims Ashley Madison has a history involving a major data breach and fake profiles.

In 2015, a catastrophic data breach exposed the information of millions of users and outed high-profile members, including Josh Duggar from 19 Kids and Counting (yikes). The incident was also linked to at least two suicides at the time.

To help smooth things over, its parent company, Avid Life Media, changed its name to ruby Corp. in 2016, and the site decided to (temporarily) drop its tagline: "Life is Short. Have an Affair." And just a week before its new TV commercials hit the market, the company was hit with a probe and lawsuits by the Federal Trade Commission over fake profiles posing as real women. (Ashley Madison settled months later.)

The new rebrand pivots away from infidelity and leans into 'ethical discretion.'

Fast forward to today. Ashley Madison has yet another new tagline: "Where Desire Meets Discretion."

According to the brand's PR team, the site is now focusing on "ethical discretion" for singles, separated individuals, and the ethical non-monogamous community. Paul Keable, the Chief Strategy Officer, tells us that this shift was influenced by last year's sign-ups: Apparently, 57 percent of new members identified as single.

“Our pivot to discretion is recognizing and enabling daters to take control of their profiles and helping to create better connections,” Keable told Mashable in an email. “We will now market Ashley Madison as a dating platform for ethical discretion; whether they are single, separated, divorced, or non-monogamous.”

Dr. Tammy Nelson, a sex and relationship therapist partnering with the brand, agrees that dating app fatigue and oversharing have driven users toward platforms that prioritize anonymity and data protection. “Discretion and privacy have become the goal of dating,” says Dr. Nelson. “In a recent Ashley Madison member survey, 61 percent of respondents said the reason they chose Ashley Madison in the pursuit of connections was that they wanted a high level of discretion.”

The platform uses impressive, albeit shady, tech to keep users hidden.

To their credit, Ashley Madison’s feature list is pretty impressive if you’re trying to stay off the grid (but, again, it was originally built to help you cheat):

• Selective identity: Users are encouraged to use a pseudonym, and you can blur or mask your photos. The site asks you to sign up with a nickname rather than your legal name. There’s also no social media linking allowed. According to Keable, the app strictly prohibits social media handles or phone numbers in profiles to prevent cross-platform identification.

• Private keys: Members can create a hidden photo album and grant (or revoke) access via a "Private Key" at any time.

• Stealth Mode (iOS only): Apple users can customize the app’s icon and notification appearance on their phones (shady, if you ask me).

• Screenshot blockers: The platform has built-in screenshot blockers, so other members can’t take screenshots of anything in the app. If they attempt to do so, they’ll just get a black screen capture. Although it doesn’t send an alarm or anything to the person whose image was captured, Keable says that users who are reported for sharing screenshots externally could face a permanent ban.

“The most significant differentiator is our community itself,” says Keable. “Mainstream apps are built on ‘social discovery,’ using your contacts and ‘friends of friends’ to help you find people you know,” he adds. “Ashley Madison operates on the opposite principle.”

Ironically, the actual cheaters on Reddit aren't happy.

Users over on the r/adultery subreddit have already noticed the shift in real-time. The platform has quietly dropped explicit labels like "Attached seeking Attached" and replaced them with standard "Men seeking women" and a generalized "non-monogamy" tag.

Ashley Madison is trying really, really hard to convince us that the site’s fundamental purpose has evolved beyond facilitating infidelity. I was fully prepared to call BS on this entire pivot, but ironically enough, the actual cheaters aren't thrilled about the rebrand. Over on Reddit, users are actively complaining that the influx of single people is ruining the site's original purpose, making it harder to find other married people looking to stray. One user wrote, "This has really ruined the site for me. I'm only interested in connecting with women who are having an affair... I wish I could get a refund on my credits."

So, you can call it "ethical discretion," or you can call it a PR stunt. But if the adulterers are fleeing because the site is too full of single people looking for privacy? Well, maybe the rebrand is actually working.

A new generation of Samsung Galaxy is here. The Samsung Galaxy S26 made its debut during Samsung Unpacked on Wednesday, Feb. 25, and preorders start today ahead of its March 11 release.

While there are very few differences between the new S26 Samsung Galaxy phones and previous generations, there are some noteworthy changes.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: Comparing price, specs, and features

Now, Samsung has combined its AI photo and video studio into the Creative Studio. What's creating the bigger buzz is the inclusion of a new Privacy Display. The new feature means that you can only view the screen head-on, meaning passersby can't catch a glimpse of your texts or any other very important business you're up to.

Physically, the Samsung Galaxy S26 will look similar to the S25 line-up, but it will have a more prominent camera bump. For those upgrading, this means one certainty — you'll need a new phone case.

Luckily, new cases are already available for the Samsung Galaxy S26. They're available to shop now, so by the time your new Samsung Galaxy S26 arrives, your case will be there too.

Samsung

Of course, Samsung is one of the first to outfit its new phones. Along with the Samsung Galaxy S26 preorder drop is a collection of new phone cases. Samsung launched a clear magnetic case, an ultra slim case, a silicone magnetic case, and a rugged case, all available to fit S26 phones, including the S26+ and S26 Ultra. According to Samsung's website, these cases will ship before the phones and arrive by March 6.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung Galaxy S26 phone cases   Shop Now ESR

ESR has already launched its Samsung Galaxy S26 cases, with a new clear case. There's a model available for every size of the S26, including the S26+ and S26 Ultra. The thin, clear case features military-grade drop protection and magnetic charging compatibility. Around the camera is a built-in phone stand so you can watch horizontal video anywhere.

Opens in a new window Credit: ESR ESR Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $35.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Burga

A case is more than just crucial protections; it's also a way to show personality. Burga makes cases with chic and trendy prints, including polka dots, stripes, ombre, and motivational messages. Before Samsung Unpacked even launched, Burga had Samsung Galaxy S26 cases available, which you can start shopping for now. Plus, they're running a deal, and when you buy four cases, you only pay for two.

Opens in a new window Credit: Burga Burga Samsung Galaxy S26 phone cases Buy four phone cases at Burga and pay for just two. Get Deal Careborne

An extremely thin phone case doesn't mean a flimsy phone case. CaseBorne's Thinborne cases are made from Aerospace-grade aramid fiber, which is extremely thin and durable. It's meant to show off your phone rather than distract it with a flashy design. Caseborne's Galaxy S26 case is already live and will arrive by Monday, March 2, a full nine days before the S26 is released.

Opens in a new window Credit: CaseBorne CaseBorn Thinborn Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $69.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Spidercase

For a slim but extremely functional case, look to the Spidercase, which comes in transparent designs so you can actually see your phone. It's a thin case that's shockproof without being bulky. Plus, it comes with a built-in stand and MagSafe compatibility. The Spidercase is available to shop on Amazon and will ship out on Monday, March 2.

Opens in a new window Credit: Spidercase Spidercase Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $17.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Snakehive

Looking for a leather case? Snakehive is joining the crowd of new Samsung Galaxy S26 phone cases. The brand's leather case has a slim profile and comes in four different shades: rich tan, jet black, hunter green, and oxford blue. Despite the leather material, it's still MagSafe-friendly for all your wireless charging needs.

Opens in a new window Credit: Snakehive Snakehive Samsung Galaxy S26 Phone Case $39.99
  Shop Now Pitaka

Pitaka joins the crowd of aramid fiber phone cases. The woven design makes it extremely durable without being too thick. Pitaka's case for the Samsung Galaxy S26 is already live, available in two colors: black and moonrise. It has a raised camera edge to protect the lens and is MagSafe-friendly.

Opens in a new window Credit: Pitaka Pitaka Moonrise Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $59.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Exoticase

A protective but minimalist phone case for the new Samsung Galaxy S26 phone comes from Exoticase. The design of the case is simple with a matte, transparent backing paired with an accent color like soothing green or flashy red. The case has protection in mind with raised edges around the camera and screen edges to protect against drops and falls.

Opens in a new window Credit: Exoticase Exoticase Samsung Galaxy S26 phone case $24.95 at Exoticase
  Get Deal

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked was full of announcements about the company's new line of Galaxy S26 smartphones. And, of course, Samsung had plenty to highlight in terms of its Galaxy AI features too.

One of the major new AI-related features this year from Samsung involves the Galaxy S26's photo app. All photo tools, including AI editing, will all live in a new Creative Studio so users can capture, edit, enhance, and generate multimedia content without the need to use multiple applications.

The ability to snap a real photo and then add a realistic, yet fake, AI-generated aspect to that picture could cause some problems. So, as Samsung announced at Galaxy Unpacked, photos with AI elements will be tagged as such within the app.

The AI label from Samsung appears in the bottom corner of the photo and designates the image as "AI-generated content."

This will be good news to many, as AI imagery and deepfakes have been used by bad actors to spread misinformation and harass individuals.

However, it's currently unclear if there's anything more than the visible watermark on the photo. If it's just that visible label, it appears that users can still easily crop the photo ever so slightly to remove the watermark. In fact, there are tutorials online that show users how they can utilize Galaxy AI itself to remove the AI watermark in previous iterations of Samsung's AI tools for Galaxy phones.

Other AI tools like OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo 3 also display watermarks that indicate content is AI-generated. However, as those are video tools, they are able to make the watermark more difficult to remove. Ideally, AI-generated images and videos contain an invisible digital watermark, like Google's SynthID.

Samsung is using Google's AI model Gemini and its powerful Nano Banana AI-image generation model for Galaxy AI's generative content. However, it's not clear if AI photos made with Samsung will also contain a SynthID for AI detection.

Still, auto-tagging is one step practical step to limit the potential harm of deepfakes.

Samsung showed off its new Privacy Display feature during its marquee Unpacked event on Wednesday, where it announced its new lineup of Galaxy S26 phones.

Mashable's Amanda Yeo covered the Privacy Display news as it dropped, calling it "the coolest innovation by far" at the tech giant's big event. The general idea is that the Galaxy S26 Ultra can change screen visibility to ensure your privacy. The actual pixels within the display shift to keep nosy eyes off your screen.

But there's more to Privacy Display than just some shifting pixels. Here are four things it can do.

Hide specific apps

Say — smartly, I'd add — that you don't want folks snooping around as you use a mobile banking app. You can choose to set that app, or any other app, to always use Privacy Display, so you can check your account in public, in peace.

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

You might not want randos to see your notifications. And hey, that's none of their business! You can toggle Privacy Display so that notifications are obscured as the pop-ups appear on screen. Samsung's presentation noted this could be especially useful when, say, ferrying a friend to their surprise birthday party.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Activate with just one button

Say you suddenly want some privacy. Maybe you're sending gossipy texts, and the subject of the gossip enters the room. Hey, that's your prerogative. Obviously, it's a little sketchy and a bit of a hassle to navigate settings to turn on Privacy Display. Thankfully, you can simply toggle on the feature by pressing the power button twice.

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

Sometimes you want to be really private. For those moments, Samsung created Maximum mode in Privacy Display. In short, it hides everything but the head-on view. Wrote Mashable's Yeo about her hands-on test: "The display really impressed when the stronger Maximum privacy protection mode was turned on, which immediately made the S26 Ultra's screen appear almost as if the phone had been shut down."

There's plenty for privacy lovers to test out with Privacy Display — and the Galaxy S26 Ultra is available for pre-order for those interested.