Daily News 19

Author: Tina Noma

  • NYT Strands Hints and Answers for August 26, 2026

    NYT Strands Hints and Answers for August 26, 2026

    Today’s NYT Strands hints are designed for workaholics. The New York Times’ word-search game adds a twist to the classic format: Players connect letters up, down, left, right, or diagonally, changing direction to create unusual shapes and patterns.

    Every letter in the grid belongs to an answer. The solutions share a common theme, along with the “spangram,” a word or phrase that captures the day’s theme and stretches across the grid horizontally or vertically.

    Strands provides an opaque hint instead of a word list, making it a more challenging puzzle than other popular New York Times games such as Wordle and Connections. If you are stuck or do not have at least 10 minutes to solve today’s puzzle, use the hints below to make progress at your preferred pace.

    NYT Strands theme hint for August 26

    All in a day’s work

    The words are adjectives related to an occupation and describe responsibilities.

    NYT Strands spangram hint

    Today’s NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

    NYT Strands spangram answer

    Today’s spangram is Part of the Job.

    NYT Strands answers for August 26

    • Errand
    • Assignment
    • Part of the Job
    • Duty
    • Task
    • Chore
    • Project

    For more daily online games, visit Mashable’s Games page for additional hints and puzzles, including Mahjong, Sudoku, and a free crossword.

    Source: mashable.com

  • Wordle Today: Answer and Hints for August 26, 2026

    Wordle Today: Answer and Hints for August 26, 2026

    Today’s Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you have a farm. If you want to skip straight to the solution, scroll to the bottom of this article. Otherwise, use the clues and strategy tips below to solve it yourself.

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

    SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 26, 2026

    Where did Wordle come from?

    Engineer Josh Wardle originally created Wordle as a gift for his partner. The game quickly became an international phenomenon, with thousands of people playing every day.

    Fans later created alternative Wordle games, including the battle royale game Squabble, the music identification game Heardle, and variations such as Dordle and Quordle, which require players to guess multiple words at once.

    Wordle became so popular that The New York Times eventually purchased it. TikTok creators have also livestreamed themselves playing the daily puzzle.

    What is the best Wordle starting word?

    The best Wordle starting word is ultimately the one you prefer. However, a strategic opening guess can help you identify the answer more quickly.

    Consider choosing a word with at least two different vowels and several common consonants, such as S, T, R, or N.

    What happened to the Wordle archive?

    The complete archive of past Wordle puzzles was once available for anyone to play at any time. It was later removed after the website’s creator said the takedown was requested by The New York Times.

    The New York Times subsequently launched its own Wordle Archive, which is available only to NYT Games subscribers.

    Is Wordle getting harder?

    Wordle may seem more difficult, but the game is not actually harder than it was when it first launched. Players looking for an extra challenge can turn on Wordle’s Hard Mode.

    SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for August 26, 2026

    Today’s Wordle hints

    Subtle clue: Today’s Wordle answer is a castrated rooster.

    Does today’s Wordle answer have a double letter? No. The answer contains no recurring letters.

    For more tech and digital culture news, sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or enable Mashable push alerts.

    Today’s Wordle starts with: C

    SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL.

    Today’s Wordle answer

    Make your final guesses now before reading the solution.

    The answer to today’s Wordle is CAPON.

    Don’t worry if you did not solve it this time. A new Wordle puzzle will be available tomorrow, and we’ll return with more clues to help you solve it. Playing NYT Strands too? 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.

    Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

    Looking for more puzzles? Mashable now has games, including Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more. Visit the Mashable games hub.

    Not looking for today’s puzzle? Here’s the solution to today’s Wordle.

  • NYT Connections Hints for Aug. 26, 2026: Meanings of Each Word

    NYT Connections Hints for Aug. 26, 2026: Meanings of Each Word

    Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints? These word meanings can help you understand today’s puzzle without revealing the answers. Connections often uses words with unrelated meanings, words hidden within other words, and visual clues.

    Mashable also publishes daily hints and answers for NYT Connections, Wordle, and Strands.

    NYT Connections word meanings

    • Park: To stop driving a vehicle, or a green space for people to enjoy.
    • Lime: A type of fruit.
    • Forte: An area of expertise.
    • Largo: A musical term.
    • Presto: A musical term, or a word a magician might say.
    • Signature: A music-related term, or the act of signing your name.
    • Page: A single sheet of paper within a book.
    • Gift: Something given to another person, usually for a special occasion.
    • Phosphorous: A chemical element.
    • Behold: To look upon; sometimes used as an exclamation.
    • Chain: An object, often made of metal, connected by a series of links.
    • Voilà: A French expression that essentially means “here it is.”
    • Talent: Skill or ability.
    • Shazam: Something a magician might say.
    • Strength: A characteristic that allows someone or something to lift or withstand pressure.
    • Piano: An instrument played by pressing keys.

    If you have learned the meanings and still want the answers, check out Mashable’s hints and answers for today’s NYT Connections puzzle.

    Playing NYT Strands too? Find all the Strands hints you need for today’s puzzle.

    For more internet culture coverage, explore The Mashable 101, a list of the content creators shaping the internet today. Mashable also has a games hub featuring Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more.

    Source: mashable.com

  • Hurdle Hints and Answers for August 26, 2026

    Hurdle Hints and Answers for August 26, 2026

    If you enjoy daily word games such as Wordle, Hurdle offers a five-round challenge that gets progressively more revealing.

    In the first round, you must guess the word while the game identifies correct, misplaced and incorrect letters. Solving a round moves you to the next hurdle, where the answer from the previous round becomes your first guess. Depending on the words, that can provide several clues—or none at all.

    In the final hurdle, all the correct answers from the previous rounds appear, with correct and misplaced letters clearly indicated. Keep in mind that the number of times a letter is highlighted in earlier guesses does not necessarily show how many times that letter appears in the final answer.

    Today’s Hurdle answers and hints

    Stuck on one of today’s Hurdle rounds? Here are the hints and answers:

    • Hurdle Word 1 hint: Hurled
      Answer: THROW
    • Hurdle Word 2 hint: Doomed
      Answer: GONER
    • Hurdle Word 3 hint: Belief
      Answer: FAITH
    • Hurdle Word 4 hint: Member of the Catholic Church
      Answer: FRIAR
    • Final Hurdle hint: A tooth
      Answer: MOLAR

    For more daily puzzles, visit Mashable’s games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords and more. You can also sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or enable Mashable push alerts for more technology and digital culture news.

    Source: mashable.com

  • How to Watch Valencia vs. Real Betis Online for Free

    How to Watch Valencia vs. Real Betis Online for Free

    Watch Valencia vs. Real Betis in La Liga for free on CazéTV. The match is available from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

    Valencia host Real Betis at Mestalla as both teams look for their first win of the La Liga season. Each side opened its campaign with a 0-0 draw last weekend, while additional scoreless stalemates were recorded in Osasuna vs. Levante and Málaga vs. Deportivo yesterday.

    Here’s everything you need to know about the Valencia vs. Real Betis fixture, including the kickoff time and how to stream the match online for free.

    When is Valencia vs. Real Betis?

    Valencia vs. Real Betis kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Aug. 25. The La Liga match will be played at Mestalla.

    How to watch Valencia vs. Real Betis for free

    CazéTV is offering a free live stream of Valencia vs. Real Betis in La Liga. The service is geo-restricted to Brazil, but viewers outside the country can use a VPN to connect to a Brazilian server and access the stream.

    To watch Valencia vs. Real Betis for free from anywhere in the world:

    1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN. ExpressVPN is our recommendation.
    2. Download the VPN app on your preferred device.
    3. Open the app and connect to a server in Brazil.
    4. Visit CazéTV.
    5. Watch Valencia vs. Real Betis live for free.

    ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan)

    $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee)

    Get Deal

    The best VPNs for streaming are generally paid services, but many offer money-back guarantees. That can allow you to watch Valencia vs. Real Betis without committing to the full cost, although this is not a long-term strategy. You can also use the VPN to stream other live sports, including Premier League matches, before requesting a refund within the applicable guarantee period.

    What is the best VPN for La Liga?

    ExpressVPN is a strong option for bypassing geo-restrictions and streaming live sports on CazéTV. Its features include:

    • Servers in 105 countries, including Brazil
    • Easy-to-use apps for iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac and other major devices
    • A strict no-logging policy
    • Fast connection speeds without throttling
    • Up to 10 simultaneous connections
    • A 30-day money-back guarantee

    A two-year ExpressVPN subscription is available for $68.40 and includes four additional months at no extra cost, representing 81% off for a limited time. The plan also includes one year of free unlimited cloud backup and typically comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. A one-month plan is available for $12.99.

    Use ExpressVPN to live stream Valencia vs. Real Betis for free from anywhere in the world.

    Source: mashable.com

  • How to Watch Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds Online for Free

    How to Watch Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds Online for Free

    Watch Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds in the EFL Cup for free on ITVX with a VPN that provides access to a UK server from anywhere in the world.

    The Premier League season is getting underway, and clubs from all four levels of English football are competing in the second round of the League Cup. One of the standout fixtures is Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds, a meeting between two Premier League teams seeking a stronger start after both narrowly avoided relegation during the 2025/26 season.

    The EFL Cup match comes just days after the teams met in the Premier League at the City Ground. Leeds won that encounter 1-0.

    When is Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds?

    Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds in the EFL Cup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Aug. 25. The match will be played at the City Ground.

    How to watch Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds for free

    The Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds EFL Cup match is available to stream live for free on ITVX.

    ITVX is restricted to viewers in the UK, but a VPN can provide access while you are traveling or located elsewhere. A VPN masks your real IP address and connects your device to a secure UK server, allowing you to stream the match from anywhere in the world.

    Follow these steps to watch Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds for free:

    1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN, such as ExpressVPN.
    2. Download the VPN app on your preferred device.
    3. Open the app and connect to a server in the UK.
    4. Visit ITVX.
    5. Watch Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds live for free.

    The best VPNs for streaming are paid services, but many offer money-back guarantees. This can allow you to watch Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds without permanently committing to the subscription cost, provided you cancel within the applicable refund period.

    What is the best VPN for ITVX?

    ExpressVPN is a strong option for bypassing ITVX geo-restrictions and streaming live sport. Its key features include:

    • Servers in 105 countries, including the UK
    • Easy-to-use apps for iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac and other major platforms
    • A strict no-logging policy
    • Fast connection speeds without throttling
    • Up to 10 simultaneous connections
    • A 30-day money-back guarantee

    A two-year ExpressVPN subscription is available for $68.40 and includes four additional months at no extra cost, representing an advertised discount of 81% for a limited time. The plan also includes one year of free unlimited cloud backup and typically comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. A one-month plan is also available for $12.99.

    Use ExpressVPN to watch Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds live on ITVX from anywhere in the world.

    Source: mashable.com

  • Backbone Unveils Blind-Box 25th Anniversary Xbox Controllers for the Ultimate Retro Phone Accessory

    Backbone Unveils Blind-Box 25th Anniversary Xbox Controllers for the Ultimate Retro Phone Accessory

    Backbone is celebrating Xbox’s 25th anniversary with the limited-edition Backbone Pro Xbox 25th Anniversary Edition, a mobile gaming controller available in three heritage-inspired colorways: crystal clear, iconic blue, and bold orange.

    The controller is sold as a blind box, meaning buyers will not know which color they are receiving until they open the package. It is available for preorder through Backbone and Best Buy while supplies last.

    A limited-edition Xbox anniversary controller

    Each colorway draws inspiration from the early era of Xbox hardware, when consoles and controllers were designed to be collected and displayed. Customers cannot select a color in advance, and the limited-edition release will be available only while inventory remains.

    The Backbone Pro Xbox 25th Anniversary Edition supports Xbox Cloud Gaming, allowing players to stream games remotely. Eligible new subscribers also receive one free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which provides access to hundreds of games.

    Players who prefer their existing console library can use Xbox Remote Play to stream games directly from an Xbox console. The controller supports games including Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 6, and Minecraft.

    Backbone Pro features and compatibility

    Under its nostalgic Xbox-themed packaging, the anniversary model retains the premium features of the standard Backbone Pro controller. These include full-size ALPS joysticks, remappable rear buttons, and laser-etched grips designed for comfort and precision.

    The controller connects through USB-C for low-latency wired gaming or uses Bluetooth for wireless play with tablets, laptops, VR headsets, and smart TVs. Its battery provides up to 40 hours of use on a single charge.

    The Backbone Pro Xbox 25th Anniversary Edition ships October 20 and costs $159.99. It is available in limited quantities through preorders from Backbone and Best Buy, with shipping limited to the regions where Backbone normally operates.

    Source: mashable.com

  • Seth Meyers Reacts to Trump Saying He Will Never Apologize for High Gas Prices

    Seth Meyers Reacts to Trump Saying He Will Never Apologize for High Gas Prices

    Donald Trump says he will “never apologize” for the higher gasoline prices Americans are facing amid the U.S. war with Iran.

    At a rally on Long Island last week, the president dismissed concerns about rising gas prices. “For you to pay a tiny little bit more for your gasoline, just remember, you’re doing it so that a very evil country cannot have a [nuclear weapon],” Trump said. “So remember that when you have to pay a little bit more. You’re at $4. It’s OK. I’ll never apologize. I did the right thing.”

    Seth Meyers responds to Trump’s gas-price comments

    On Monday, Seth Meyers addressed Trump’s remarks in A Closer Look: Out of Office, a summer video podcast adaptation of his popular Late Night segment. The episode was presented with supervising writer and producer Sal Gentile.

    “A lot of people are focused on that: ‘I’ll never apologize. I did the right thing.’ My favorite part is, ‘It’s OK,’” said Gentile.

    “’It’s OK, you guys. I know you’re upset, but it’s OK,’” responded Meyers. “It’s very weird for a guy who’s never apologized about anything to say, ‘I’ll never apologize’ for that. You don’t apologize for anything.”

    Want more film and TV news and reviews delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for Mashable’s Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts.

  • How to Watch Lions vs. New Zealand Online for Free

    How to Watch Lions vs. New Zealand Online for Free

    New Zealand’s tour of South Africa is being promoted as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, and the All Blacks have dominated the opening matches. After beating South African clubs the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls, New Zealand also won the first of four crucial Test matches against South Africa.

    Next, the All Blacks face the Lions, a Johannesburg-based team. The match could give the Lions an opportunity to become the first side to defeat New Zealand on this tour.

    When is Lions vs. New Zealand?

    Lions vs. New Zealand kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on Aug. 25 at Ellis Park.

    How to watch Lions vs. New Zealand for free

    The Lions vs. New Zealand match is available to stream live for free on RugbyPass TV. The RugbyPass TV livestream is geo-restricted to viewers in the U.S., but viewers elsewhere can use a VPN to connect to a secure U.S. server and access the stream.

    To watch Lions vs. New Zealand for free from anywhere in the world:

    1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN, such as ExpressVPN.
    2. Download the VPN app on your preferred device.
    3. Open the app and connect to a server in the U.S.
    4. Visit RugbyPass TV.
    5. Watch Lions vs. New Zealand live for free.

    ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan): $12.99 at ExpressVPN, with a money-back guarantee.

    The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they generally offer generous money-back guarantees. Using one of these offers can let you watch Lions vs. New Zealand and other tour fixtures without committing to the full cost. It is not a long-term free-streaming solution, but it can provide enough time to watch the match before requesting a refund, subject to the provider’s terms.

    What is the best VPN for RugbyPass TV?

    ExpressVPN is a strong option for bypassing geo-restrictions when streaming live sport on RugbyPass TV. Its features include:

    • Servers in 105 countries, including the U.S.
    • Easy-to-use apps for major devices, including iPhone, Android, Windows and Mac.
    • A strict no-logging policy.
    • Fast connection speeds without throttling.
    • Up to 10 simultaneous connections.
    • A 30-day money-back guarantee.

    A two-year ExpressVPN subscription is currently on sale for $68.40 and includes an additional four months free, representing an advertised discount of 81% for a limited time. The plan also includes one year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. A one-month plan is available for $12.99.

    Use ExpressVPN to stream Lions vs. New Zealand for free from anywhere in the world.

    Source: mashable.com

  • NYT Connections Hints and Answers for August 25, 2026

    NYT Connections Hints and Answers for August 25, 2026

    The NYT Connections puzzle today should be manageable for film buffs, but some of the categories may still prove tricky. Connections is one of The New York Times’ most popular word games, challenging players to find the common threads between words.

    Like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, bringing players a new set of increasingly difficult words each day. If you want to solve today’s puzzle yourself, use the clues and strategies below. If you would rather see the solution, skip to the end.

    What is NYT Connections?

    Connections is a daily word game from The New York Times that has become a social media hit. Associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu is credited with helping create the game and bring it to the publication’s Games section.

    Players can access Connections in a web browser or on a mobile device. Each puzzle presents 16 words that must be divided into four groups of four based on a shared connection.

    The categories can include anything from book titles and software to country names. Although several words may appear to fit together, there is only one correct solution for each puzzle.

    Correctly identifying a group removes those four words from the board. Incorrect guesses count as mistakes, and players can make up to four mistakes before the game ends.

    You can rearrange or shuffle the board to make potential connections easier to spot. The groups are also color-coded by difficulty: yellow is the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. As with Wordle, players can share their results on social media.

    Hints for today’s Connections categories

    Want clues without being given the categories outright? Try these hints:

    • Yellow: It’s not that deep
    • Green: Defies science
    • Blue: Classic films
    • Purple: A sweet treat

    Today’s Connections categories

    Need more help? Today’s groups fall into these categories:

    • Yellow: Surface-level
    • Green: Sci-Fi phenomena
    • Blue: Stephen King film adaptations, with The
    • Purple: Ending in ice cream orders

    If you are also playing Wordle, you can find today’s Wordle answer. For more puzzle coverage, explore the Mashable games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more.

    Today’s Connections answers

    Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to solve today’s puzzle before seeing the solutions.

    The solution to today’s Connections #1171 is:

    • Surface-level: COSMETIC, ONE-DIMENSIONAL, SKIN-DEEP, SUPERFICIAL
    • Sci-Fi phenomena: HYPERSPACE, PARALLEL UNIVERSE, TELEPORTATION, TIME WARP
    • Stephen King film adaptations, with The: GREEN MILE, LONG WALK, RUNNING MAN, SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
    • Ending in ice cream orders: HARLEM SHAKE, INSIDE SCOOP, LICKETY-SPLIT, TRAFFIC CONE

    Not looking for today’s puzzle? Check the solution to the Connections puzzle for the day you need.

    Source: mashable.com