Daily News 19

Author: Tina Noma

  • Macklemore Accused of Breaking ‘Promise’ During Ed Sheeran Performance

    Macklemore Accused of Breaking ‘Promise’ During Ed Sheeran Performance

    Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour lineup earlier this week following comments he made about Gaza during the tour’s opening performances. The decision came after reported warnings about the rapper’s outspoken stance on the devastation facing Palestinians.

    Sheeran distances himself from decision

    Ed Sheeran subsequently stated he was “not complicit” in the removal, attributing the decision to the tour promoter rather than himself. “I have my personal views on this devastating conflict,” the singer said, without directly sharing them. Reports indicate there was an understanding that Macklemore would refrain from sharing similar thoughts after mentioning Palestine during the first night at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

    NFL owners reportedly complained

    According to The Wall Street Journal, several NFL team owners complained about Macklemore’s pro-Palestine comments after the initial New Jersey performance. Sources allege assurances were given that the “Thrift Shop” rapper would remove all such references from his second-night performance. However, Macklemore retained the references and continued to say “Free Palestine” onstage. The outlet did not specify who made this assurance to the NFL owners.

    Robert Kraft’s involvement

    On Monday, September 14, Macklemore claimed that Robert Kraft — whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium — had contacted Sheeran and stated they would not host the tour unless Macklemore was removed. In a previous statement, Kraft cited a “broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community” as the basis for the decision.

    Macklemore donates tour earnings

    Macklemore has been vocal about Palestine long before joining the Loop Tour as a supporting act. Following his removal, he announced via Instagram that he would donate his entire net earnings from the tour — $1 million (approximately £747,328) — to six organizations working directly with Palestinian people.

    “With everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs: to the Palestinian people who are still being killed, still living under military occupation, and still fighting for their freedom.

    “I will be donating the entire 1 million (dollars) of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organisations working directly to support the Palestinian people.”

    Macklemore also invited Kraft to match the donations, adding:

    “whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.”

    He continued:

    “Aid alone cannot address the conditions that make it necessary. This is a manmade injustice and I believe it requires immediate political change.

    “Palestinians have lived for decades without basic rights and should not have to wait another day to be free. This is where my focus will remain.”

    Supporting acts and band withdraw

    Since Macklemore’s removal, all of Sheeran’s remaining Loop Tour supporting acts — including Aaron Rowe, Finneas, and Lukas Graham — as well as his backing band Beoga, have dropped out of the remaining dates. Sheeran’s next scheduled performance is Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where Graham and Rowe were originally set to open. The tour has 17 dates remaining across North and South America, concluding December 11 in Mexico City.

    LADbible has contacted representatives for both Macklemore and Sheeran for comment.

  • How to Watch ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’ Season 4: Release Date, Cast

    How to Watch ‘Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story’ Season 4: Release Date, Cast

    Ryan Murphy’s “Monster” anthology franchise is expanding once again, signaling continued growth for the true-crime focused universe.

    Murphy’s Anthology Strategy Evolves

    The “Monster”-verse, known for its dramatized portrayals of notorious criminals, appears set to add new installments. This development follows the pattern established by previous entries in the anthology series, which have explored high-profile criminal cases through a serialized lens.

    Anthology Format Drives Expansion

    Each season of the “Monster” franchise operates as a self-contained narrative, allowing the series to tackle distinct cases while maintaining a consistent brand identity. This structural flexibility has enabled Murphy to pursue new subjects without narrative constraints from prior seasons.

    The expansion suggests sustained audience interest in the true-crime anthology format and confidence in the franchise’s ability to attract viewership across multiple distinct storylines.

  • Hurdle Hints and Answers for September 17, 2026

    Hurdle Hints and Answers for September 17, 2026

    Key Highlights

    • Mashable published the complete solutions for Hurdle puzzle #961 on September 17, 2026, covering all five rounds and the final challenge.
    • The five daily words were PROWL, EXULT, MINUS, COMBO, and QUALM, each derived from distinct clues ranging from hunting to unease.
    • The final hurdle leverages answers from previous rounds as starting guesses, adding a strategic layer to the Wordle-style format.

    Daily Hurdle Solutions Revealed for September 17, 2026

    Mashable has released the full answer key for the September 17, 2026 edition of Hurdle, the popular five-round word puzzle that builds on the mechanics of Wordle. The daily game challenges players to solve a sequence of five-letter words, with each correct answer feeding into the next round as an automatic first guess. For puzzle number 961, the solution path moved through themes of pursuit, celebration, mathematics, combination, and doubt.

    Round-by-Round Breakdown

    Hurdle Word 1: PROWL

    The opening round presented the clue “On the hunt.” The correct answer, PROWL, set the tone for the day’s puzzle. In Hurdle’s format, a correct guess immediately advances the player to the next hurdle, using the solved word as the starting input for the subsequent round.

    Hurdle Word 2: EXULT

    With PROWL locked in as the first guess, players faced the clue “To rejoice.” The solution, EXULT, continued the sequence. Note that the source text displayed “EXULTH,” which appears to be a typographical error for the standard dictionary spelling EXULT.

    Hurdle Word 3: MINUS

    The third hurdle offered a mathematical prompt: “Subtract.” The answer, MINUS, maintained the five-letter constraint and moved the game toward its latter stages.

    Hurdle Word 4: COMBO

    Clue number four, “A mixture,” yielded the answer COMBO. This round positioned players for the final challenge, where all previous correct answers are displayed with their letter highlighting intact.

    Final Hurdle: QUALM

    The ultimate challenge carried the hint “Unease.” The final solution, QUALM, completed the September 17 puzzle. Mashable notes an important strategic detail: the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does not necessarily indicate the frequency of that letter in the final hurdle answer.

    Why This Matters

    Hurdle represents an evolution in the daily word game genre popularized by The New York Times’ Wordle. By chaining five discrete puzzles into a single session and propagating solved words as subsequent starting guesses, the game introduces a cumulative logic layer absent from single-round formats. Mashable’s consistent publication of daily hints and answers supports a growing community of players who use the resource for verification, learning, or maintaining streaks. The September 17 edition exemplifies the game’s vocabulary range, spanning verbs (PROWL, EXULT), a preposition/operator (MINUS), a noun (COMBO), and an abstract noun (QUALM). As Mashable expands its games hub to include Mahjong, Sudoku, and free crosswords, Hurdle remains a flagship daily offering driving newsletter sign-ups and push alert engagement.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How does Hurdle differ from Wordle?
    Hurdle consists of five sequential rounds. Each correct answer becomes the automatic first guess for the next round. The final hurdle displays all previous answers with their letter highlighting, requiring players to synthesize information across all five puzzles.
    What were the Hurdle answers for September 17, 2026?
    The five answers were PROWL, EXULT, MINUS, COMBO, and QUALM.
    Does letter highlighting from previous rounds carry over accurately to the final hurdle?
    Mashable explicitly advises that the number of times a letter is highlighted in previous guesses does not necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle answer.
  • Peter Max, Iconic Pop Artist Who Spearheaded ‘Flower Power’ Movement, Dead at 88

    Peter Max, Iconic Pop Artist Who Spearheaded ‘Flower Power’ Movement, Dead at 88

    Peter Max Served as Official Artist for Major International Sporting Events

    Peter Max was the official artist for the Olympics, Super Bowl, Indianapolis 500, World Cup, World Series and more.

  • ‘Heart of the Beast’ Global Premiere Red Carpet: Brad Pitt, J.K. Simmons, Jana Kramer and More

    ‘Heart of the Beast’ Global Premiere Red Carpet: Brad Pitt, J.K. Simmons, Jana Kramer and More

    View the complete red carpet coverage featuring all the attending celebrities and their fashion highlights.

  • Maura Higgins’ Birkin from ‘Traitors’ co-star Rob Rausch steals the show at ‘DWTS’ — and fans are obsessed

    Maura Higgins’ Birkin from ‘Traitors’ co-star Rob Rausch steals the show at ‘DWTS’ — and fans are obsessed

    The expensive handbag was incorporated into the reality television star’s routine alongside her professional partner, “Traitors” co-star Mark Ballas.

  • Bill Belichick, 74, Slams ‘ridiculous’ Rumors Girlfriend Jordon Hudson, 25, Manages His Coaching Career

    Bill Belichick, 74, Slams ‘ridiculous’ Rumors Girlfriend Jordon Hudson, 25, Manages His Coaching Career

    Hudson’s Interruption of Legendary Coach’s “CBS Sunday Morning” Interview Sparks Controversy

    Controversy erupted last year after Hudson interrupted the legendary coach’s “CBS Sunday Morning” interview.

  • Sarah Jane Nader Eliminated from ‘DWTS’ as Season 35 Premiere Concludes with Another Surprise Elimination

    Sarah Jane Nader Eliminated from ‘DWTS’ as Season 35 Premiere Concludes with Another Surprise Elimination

    Dance Competition Heats Up as Another Couple Eliminated Wednesday Night

    The popular dance competition series intensified this week as the field of contestants narrowed further. At the conclusion of Wednesday night’s episode, another couple was sent home, marking the latest elimination in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested season.

    Weekly Elimination Shakes Up Leaderboard

    Wednesday’s results show delivered the expected tension as viewers learned which pair would not advance to the next round. The elimination follows a week of demanding performances that pushed the remaining contestants to showcase versatility across multiple dance styles.

    With each passing week, the competition grows more intense as the remaining couples fight for survival and the coveted mirrorball trophy. The latest departure reduces the roster further, raising the stakes for those still in the running.

    What’s Next for the Remaining Contestants

    As the season progresses, the remaining pairs will face increasingly challenging themes and technical requirements. Judges have signaled that expectations will continue to rise, with less margin for error as the finals approach.

    Fans can expect more dramatic eliminations in the coming weeks as the competition narrows toward its conclusion. The series continues to air weekly, with each episode featuring new routines, guest judges, and themed nights designed to test the celebrities and their professional partners.

  • NYT Pips: Hints and Answers for September 17, 2026

    NYT Pips: Hints and Answers for September 17, 2026

    Key Highlights

    • The New York Times released Pips in August 2025, a single-player logic puzzle game based on domino mechanics with color-coded mathematical conditions.
    • Daily puzzles for September 17 are solved across three difficulty tiers—Easy, Medium, and Hard—with specific tile placements provided for each color-coded region.
    • The game currently lacks a granular hint system; players who are stuck must reveal the entire puzzle solution and advance to the next difficulty, prompting external hint guides.

    New York Times Expands Games Portfolio with Pips

    The New York Times continues to diversify its digital gaming catalog with the August 2025 launch of Pips, a single-player puzzle experience that reimagines traditional dominoes. Unlike standard dominoes where matching pips is the primary rule, Pips introduces a layer of logic through color-coded zones that impose mathematical constraints on the tile halves occupying those spaces. The game joins the Times’ stable of daily habits like Wordle, Connections, and Strands, offering a fresh mechanic that blends spatial reasoning with arithmetic.

    How Pips Works: Dominoes Meet Logic Grids

    In Pips, tiles are placed vertically or horizontally on a grid, connecting end-to-end like standard dominoes. However, the matching rule is secondary to the conditions dictated by colored regions overlaid on the board. Each color corresponds to a specific rule that applies to every domino half—each individual number of pips—inside that zone. Critically, a single tile can straddle two zones, meaning only half of it is subject to one region’s condition while the other half obeys another.

    Core Condition Types

    The puzzle design relies on a set of recurring condition types that players must satisfy simultaneously:

    • Number: All pips in the space must sum to the target number.
    • Equal: Every domino half in the space must display the same number of pips.
    • Not Equal: Every domino half must have a distinct pip count.
    • Less Than: Every domino half must sum to less than the given number (applied per half).
    • Greater Than: Every domino half must sum to more than the given number (applied per half).

    Areas without color coding carry no restrictions, serving as free placement zones. This system creates a layered deduction puzzle where solving one region often locks in values for adjacent ones.

    September 17 Daily Puzzle Solutions by Difficulty

    For the September 17 daily puzzles, solutions are broken down by the three available difficulty levels. Each entry below identifies the condition, the color-coded region (where described in the source), and the exact tile placements required to solve it. Tile notation follows a pip-pip format with orientation specified.

    Easy Difficulty

    • Number (2): 0-5 vertical; 1-1 horizontal.
    • Number (7) [Red]: 0-5 vertical; 2-3 vertical.
    • Number (7) [Orange]: 2-3 vertical; 4-3 horizontal.
    • Number (0): 0-4 vertical.
    • Greater Than (2): 4-3 horizontal.
    • Less Than (5): 0-4 vertical.

    Medium Difficulty

    • Equal (5): 4-5 vertical; 2-5 horizontal.
    • Equal (3): 3-3 vertical.
    • Less Than (4): 2-5 horizontal; 1-1 vertical.
    • Equal (2): 2-0 vertical; 2-2 horizontal.
    • Number (4): 1-3 horizontal.
    • Number (1): 1-1 vertical; 2-0 vertical.

    Hard Difficulty

    • Equal (5): 5-1 vertical; 5-5 horizontal.
    • Number (9): 3-6 vertical.
    • Number (4): 1-4 horizontal.
    • Number (5): 5-1 vertical; 1-1 vertical; 1-4 horizontal; 1-6 vertical.
    • Number (0): 0-6 vertical; 4-5 horizontal.
    • Number (11) [First]: 1-6 vertical; 5-3 horizontal.
    • Number (3): 5-3 horizontal.
    • Number (4) [Second]: 4-5 horizontal.
    • Number (11) [Second]: 4-5 horizontal.
    • Greater Than (1): 2-5 horizontal.
    • Equal (2): 2-5 horizontal; 2-0 vertical.
    • Number (0) [Second]: 2-0 vertical; 0-4 horizontal.
    • Greater Than (3): 0-4 horizontal.
    • Not Equal: 1-2 horizontal; 0-3 vertical; 4-6 horizontal.

    Why This Matters: The NYT Games Strategy and Player Experience

    The release of Pips underscores The New York Times’ ongoing strategy to acquire and develop “daily habit” games that drive subscriber retention and engagement. Following the viral success of Wordle (acquired 2022) and the in-house development of Connections and Strands, Pips represents a shift toward more complex logic puzzles that appeal to the paper’s core audience of crossword and Sudoku enthusiasts. However, the current implementation reveals a friction point in user experience: the absence of a stepwise hint system. Unlike Wordle’s letter-color feedback or Connections’ “one away” notifications, Pips currently offers only a binary “reveal puzzle” option when a player is stuck. This forces a full reset to the next difficulty tier, potentially breaking the daily streak incentive that makes these games sticky. Third-party hint guides—like the one published here—fill a critical product gap until the Times potentially introduces native progressive hinting, a feature standard in competing puzzle apps.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Pips and how does it differ from regular dominoes?

    Pips is a single-player logic puzzle game released by The New York Times in August 2025. While it uses domino-style tiles (two halves with pip counts 0-6), the core mechanic involves satisfying color-coded mathematical conditions—such as sums, equality, or inequality constraints—within designated zones on the grid, rather than simply matching adjacent numbers.

    How do the color-coded conditions work when a tile crosses two zones?

    Each half of a domino tile is evaluated independently against the condition of the zone it occupies. If a tile spans a red “Number (7)” zone and a blue “Equal (3)” zone, the half in the red zone contributes to the sum of 7, while the half in the blue zone must show exactly 3 pips. This split-tile mechanic is central to the puzzle’s difficulty.

    Where can I find daily hints for Pips if I get stuck?

    Because the game currently only offers a full puzzle reveal (which advances you to the next difficulty), many players rely on external daily hint guides. Outlets like Mashable publish piecemeal hints and full solutions for each day’s Easy, Medium, and Hard puzzles, allowing players to get a nudge without spoiling the entire board.

  • NYT Strands Hints and Answers for September 17, 2026

    NYT Strands Hints and Answers for September 17, 2026

    Key Highlights

    • Today’s NYT Strands puzzle (September 17) features the theme “A little comic relief” with the vertical spangram The Funny Pages.
    • The solution grid contains seven comic strip titles: Zippy, Mutts, Zits, Pickles, Peanuts, Blondie, and the spangram itself.
    • Players can access daily Strands hints and solutions through Mashable’s games hub alongside Mahjong, Sudoku, and free crossword puzzles.

    NYT Strands Puzzle Guide: September 17 Comic Strip Theme

    The New York Times’ Strands puzzle continues to challenge word-game enthusiasts with its innovative twist on the classic word-search format. Unlike traditional word searches where words travel in straight lines, Strands allows connected letters to snake up, down, left, right, and diagonally—changing direction mid-word to create distinctive shapes across the grid. Every letter in the puzzle contributes to at least one answer, and each day’s solutions share a unifying theme capped by a “spangram”: a special word or phrase that spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically while encapsulating the day’s concept.

    Today’s Theme: “A Little Comic Relief”

    For the September 17 edition, the puzzle centers on a theme hinted as “A little comic relief.” The theme is plainly explained as words describing popular characters, specifically those found in reading materials. This points directly toward the world of newspaper comic strips—a staple of daily print media for generations. The spangram for today’s puzzle is vertical and reads The Funny Pages, a colloquial term for the comics section of a newspaper that perfectly ties together the individual answers.

    Complete Word List and Solutions

    The full solution set for today’s Strands puzzle comprises seven entries. The spangram The Funny Pages anchors the grid vertically. The six theme words are all well-known comic strip titles: Zippy, Mutts, Zits, Pickles, Peanuts, and Blondie. Each represents a distinct comic strip with its own history and cultural footprint—from Charles Schulz’s iconic Peanuts (debuting in 1950) to Patrick McDonnell’s Mutts (launched in 1994) and Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman’s Zits (1997). Blondie, created by Chic Young in 1930, stands as one of the longest-running strips in American newspaper history.

    Why This Matters: The Evolution of Daily Digital Puzzles

    The inclusion of newspaper comic strips as a Strands theme highlights the cultural literacy the game expects from its players. Strands sits within The New York Times’ expanding portfolio of digital games—which includes Wordle, Connections, and the Crossword—designed to drive subscriber engagement and retention. By drawing on shared cultural touchstones like the “funny pages,” the puzzle bridges generational knowledge: older solvers may recognize Blondie and Peanuts from decades of newspaper reading, while younger players might know Zits or Mutts from contemporary collections or digital syndication. Mashable’s daily hint articles serve as an accessible entry point for players who want to maintain streaks without spending extended time stuck on a single grid, reflecting the broader trend of companion content ecosystems around casual gaming.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the spangram for NYT Strands on September 17?

    The spangram is The Funny Pages, and it runs vertically across the grid.

    Which comic strips appear in today’s Strands answers?

    The theme words are Zippy, Mutts, Zits, Pickles, Peanuts, and Blondie—all long-running newspaper comic strips.

    Where can I find hints for future NYT Strands puzzles?

    Mashable publishes daily Strands hints and solutions on its games hub, which also offers Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword puzzles, and other daily online games.