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Acting on employee feedback can strengthen your leadership—as long as you handle it thoughtfully. Move too fast, and your efforts may seem insincere. Move too slow, and you risk looking unresponsive. The key is managing how you change, not just what you change. Focus on three actions. Pause before you act. Resist the urge to […]

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

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 March 4, 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: To chase

• Green: A good sport

• Blue: Children enjoyments

• Purple: Classic films

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Pursue

• Green: Sportsmanlike

• Blue: Classic kid gifts

• Purple: "___Girl" titles

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 #997 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Pursue: HOUND, SHADOW, TAIL, TRACK

• Sportsmanlike: FAIR, HONEST, SPORTING, SQUARE

• Classic kid gifts: BIKE, BOOK, TOY, VIDEO GAME

• "___Girl" titles: GONE, GOSSIP, NEW, WORKING

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 March 4, 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 love to bake.

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 March 4, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 4, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Piece of cake

The words are related to pastries.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe pastry ingredients.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Spruced Up.

NYT Strands word list for March 4

• Candles

• Vanilla

• Flour

• Frosting

• Baking Aisle

• Cocoa

• Sugar

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 a kleptomaniac.

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 March 4, 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 March 4, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Robbery.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter T appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.

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...

THEFT

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.

Guy Ritchie is back with a new adventure involving one of the world's most famous detectives. Young Sherlock, an origin story for Sherlock Holmes, premieres March 4, 2026, on Prime Video. Instead of a weekly rollout, all eight episodes will be released at once for Prime Video subscribers.

The highest court in the land has decided not to hear a case on whether AI-generated art can be copyrighted under U.S. law, as the battle over digital creation continues.

On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal involving an artist refused copyright for digital art created by a personal AI software. Plaintiff Stephen Thaler filed for copyright of a piece of moving digital art in 2018. The application was rejected by the U.S. Copyright Office in 2022. The office argued that the Missouri computer scientist's art was not eligible for copyright protection because it was not created by a human.

SEE ALSO: AI has made us all surveillance targets. This tool helps you fight back.

The decision preceded a 2025 report by the U.S. Copyright Office that offered further interpretation of the law and eligibility for copyright shelter, writing that "unedited outputs of generative AI tools" wouldn't qualify for protection. The report added that art facilitated by AI but "retained the centrality of human creativity" could be eligible, but not expressive elements solely determined by a machine.

The copyright of AI-generated and AI-assisted works of art remains an ongoing battle. The office has previously rejected copyright claims by artists who argue certain forms of art created with the assistance of AI tools — rather than art generated independently by AI software — should fall under the 2025 interpretation of U.S. copyright law.

Thaler has also appealed to the Supreme Court over rejected U.S. Patent and Trademark Office applications, urging the court to decide whether or not AI-generated inventions are eligible for U.S. patent protection. The Trump administration had been placing pressure on the court to deny hearing Thaler's copyright case, CNBC reports.

Thaler's lawyers expressed disappointment in the court's decision not to take the case. "Even if it later overturns the Copyright Office's test in another case, it will be too late. The Copyright Office ​will have irreversibly and negatively impacted AI development and use in the creative ​industry during ⁠critically important years."

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If you want something fast, portable, and built for everyday productivity, this checks the right boxes without stretching your budget.

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As a Grade A refurbished model, it arrives in near-mint condition with minimal cosmetic wear.

If you’ve been waiting for a practical, high-performance laptop without paying full retail, this is a smart time to upgrade. Get this like-new HP OmniBook X 14″ Touch (2024) for just $649.99 (reg. $1,399).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Streaming services such as Netflix have made watching shows and movies more convenient. In some cases, however, the versions that are available on streaming services may secretly be significantly worse.

TL;DR: Live stream Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Copa del Rey semi finals were set up to be entertaining before a ball was kicked. Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid is obviously a huge matchup, but the Basque Derby is one of the biggest games in football.

Real Sociedad won the first leg 1-0 at the San Mames Stadium. They now need to defend that lead at the Anoeta Stadium. Expect Athletic Bilbao to go on the offensive from the first whistle. It's going to be a fascinating contest between two extremely talented sides. The winner will book a spot in the showpiece event taking place in April.

If you want to watch Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao?

Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on March 4. This fixture takes place at the Anoeta Stadium.

How to watch Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao for free

Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to stream the Copa del Rey for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Copa del Rey without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Real Sociedad vs. Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey for free with ExpressVPN.

Sometimes, you just need an extra GPU. I'm not going to ask questions. Even though SLI and CrossFire are dead and buried, there are still plenty of legitimate uses for a second GPU, and in fact those use cases are growing. Unfortunately, peering through the window of your computer case you notice that your motherboard only has one PCIe slot long enough for a GPU.

TL;DR: Live stream Lazio vs. Atalanta in the Coppa Italia for free on Mediaset Infinity. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Copa del Rey, Taça de Portugal, and Coppa Italia are reaching their dramatic conclusions this week. We've got a number of exciting semi-final matchups to consider from these domestic cup competitions, including Lazio vs. Atalanta.

Atalanta will be going into this two-legged semi final as favorites. Atalanta are nine points ahead of Lazio in Serie A, and will be looking to move up from seventh position into the european qualification spots. Lazio possess the talent to make the final, but they'll need to be at their best to advance.

If you want to watch Lazio vs. Atalanta in the Coppa Italia from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Lazio vs. Atalanta?

Lazio vs. Atalanta in the Coppa Italia kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on March 4. This fixture takes place at the Stadio Olimpico.

How to watch Lazio vs. Atalanta for free

Lazio vs. Atalanta in the Coppa Italia is available to live stream for free on Mediaset Infinity.

Mediaset Infinity is geo-restricted to Italy, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Italy, meaning you can unblock Mediaset Infinity to live stream the Coppa Italia for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Lazio vs. Atalanta in the Coppa Italia 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 Italy

4. Visit Mediaset Infinity

5. Watch Lazio vs. Atalanta for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Coppa Italia without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Lazio vs. Atalanta in the Coppa Italia before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Mediaset Infinity?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Italy

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Lazio vs. Atalanta in the Coppa Italia for free with ExpressVPN.

The popular emulator for the Sony PlayStation Portable, PPSSPP, has just received a significant update. PPSSPP v1.20 has a new portrait mode for phones and tablets, performance improvements, full support for ARM Windows, and much more.

Taylor Sheridan’s new neo-Western television series Marshals premiered March 1 on CBS and Paramount+. The series shocked audiences right out of the gate, which I won’t spoil in case you haven't seen it yet. The newest chapter in the Yellowstone universe finds former U.S. Navy SEAL and rancher Kayce Dutton (Luke Grimes) stepping into an entirely new role with three things—a new outlook, a new badge, and a brand-new mission.

Sports cars in 2026 are split down the middle. Some are chasing electrification and wild aero tricks, while others stick to the old-school formula and dare you to call them outdated.

Did you know that many of the tools you use every day have free, open-source alternatives that are just as good as—or even better than—their expensive commercial counterparts?

Google Chrome already releases new major versions every four weeks, delivering new features, web APIs, bug fixes, and critical security patches. That’s now changing to every two weeks, and other Chrome-based browsers could follow suit.

March is here, and so are some new Android updates. Google is releasing several features for Android users at large, as well as the latest Pixel Drop. There are better tools for finding everything from luggage to friends, Circle to Search improvements, a highly-requested app, and much more.

Congratulations—you finally got up to actually making backups of your data. If you think it's a "run and forget" ordeal, though, you're very, very wrong.

Motion sensors are a part of many smart homes. They're very useful for common purposes, such as having your lights automatically turn on when you enter a room. Where you position them can be key to how quickly they react, and the obvious positions aren't always the best.

House Targaryen apparently isn't just satisfied with conquering our small screens. It's coming for the big screen, too.

SEE ALSO: 'House of the Dragon' Season 3 teaser gives fiery glimpse of the Battle of the Gullet

According to Page Six Hollywood, Warner Bros. is working on a Game of Thrones prequel film. Andor writer and House of Cards showrunner Beau Willimon is attached as screenwriter, and has reportedly already submitted a draft of the film's screenplay.

While the plot remains under wraps, Page Six reports that the film will center on King Aegon I Targaryen and his conquest of Westeros. The conquest took place nearly 300 years before Game of Thrones itself, and Aegon carried it out alongside his sister-wives Visenya and Rhaenys. (Even in movie form, you can't escape Targaryen incest.)

HBO has been discussing a TV show about Aegon the Conqueror since 2023. Among these discussions was the possibility of a companion feature film that would lead into the series. It's unclear yet whether Willimon's film will be acting as a similar bridge into an upcoming show, or if it will be a stand-alone.

Of course, the movie's future could be in flux due to Warner Bros.' possible sale to Paramount Skydance, as the project could be scrapped post-merger. Then again, Game of Thrones is crucial to the Warner Bros. and HBO brands, and that importance may help it come to fruition in a turbulent media landscape.