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TL;DR: Live stream Sri Lanka vs. Ireland in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Sri Lanks are not one of the favorites to win the 2026 T20 World Cup, but you can never count out the hosts. Playing in front of a passionate home support goes a long way, and although the final knockout rounds are all hosted by India, the Sri Lankan fans could well inspire their team to make the latter stages of this competition.

Sri Lanka start their campaign against Ireland. Fans will be expecting Sri Lanka to win this opening game comfortably. It's important that they do, as they'll be coming up against Australia later in Group B.

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If you want to watch Sri Lanka vs. Ireland in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Sri Lanka vs. Ireland?

Sri Lanka vs. Ireland in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 8. This game takes place at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium.

How to watch Sri Lanka vs. Ireland for free

Sri Lanka vs. Ireland 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 Sri Lanka vs. Ireland 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 (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.

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 ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for free with ExpressVPN.

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

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

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

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

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

To pound.

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

THUMP

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Snakes are filled with it.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 8, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

VENOM

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A gorge.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 8 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 8, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

CHASM

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Jotted down.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

WROTE

Final Hurdle hint

To sneak.

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

SKULK

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

TL;DR: Live stream England vs. Nepal 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 showcases many interesting matchups in the opening round of group-stage games, including England vs. Nepal.

England will be expected to qualify comfortably from Group C, but the second spot in the next round is very much up for grabs. West Indies will fancy their chances, but don't count out Nepal. They possess a number of talented young players who can cause problems for the opposition. This isn't going to be an easy opening game for England. They'll need to start strongly.

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If you want to watch England vs. Nepal in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is England vs. Nepal?

England vs. Nepal in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 4:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 8. This game takes place at the Wankhede Stadium.

How to watch England vs. Nepal for free

England vs. Nepal 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 England vs. Nepal 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 (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.

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 ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for free with ExpressVPN.

Tonight, the Moon looks slightly slimmer again as it approaches the Third Quarter. Its illuminated section is fading even more, meaning each night there's less for us to see.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Sunday, Feb. 8, the Moon phase is Waning Gibbous. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 62% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

Looking up with just your naked eye, you should be able to see the Mares Vaporum and Imbrium and the Aristarchus Plateau. With binoculars, you'll also be able to see Clavius, and the Archimedes Craters, and the Alps Mountains. If you have a telescope, you'll also be able to see the Apollo 14 and 15 landing spots, as well as the Rima Ariadaeus.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on March 3.

What are Moon phases?

NASA says that a complete lunar cycle takes around 29.5 days. This is the time the Moon needs to orbit Earth once. During this cycle, it goes through eight phases. While the same side of the Moon always faces Earth, the visible portion that is illuminated changes as the Moon travels along its orbit. The varying amount of sunlight reflected off the Moon is what causes it to appear fully lit, partially lit, or nearly dark at different stages. The eight phases of the Moon 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.

TL;DR: Live stream the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

There are so many incredible sporting events taking place in 2026. Fans can look forward to the Winter Olympics, World Cup, and much more this year. And cricket fans don't need to wait long for arguably the biggest showpiece event on the calendar: the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The best international T20 teams are in India and Sri Lanks to compete for the top prize. You can expect the likes of India, Australia, South Africa, and England to be fighting it out in the knockout rounds. Those teams are the pre-tournament favorites, but this electric form of the game is unpredictable. Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan possess the talent to beat anyone on their best day.

If you want to watch the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the T20 World Cup?

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup is a Twenty20 International cricket tournament organised by the International Cricket Council. The event is generally held every two years. India are the defending champions.

In 2026, 20 teams will compete in 55 matches across five venues. The 20 qualifying teams are divided into four groups of five. In the group stage, each team will play four matches in a round-robin format, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the Super 8 stage. At this point, teams will be placed into two groups of four, and will play three matches. The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage.

When is the 2026 T20 World Cup?

The 2026 T20 World Cup is the 10th edition of the competition. This year's event takes place from Feb. 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka.

How to watch the 2026 T20 World Cup for free

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.

Access free T20 Cricket World Cup live streams 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

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.

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 ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream New Zealand vs. Afghanistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There aren't many fans predicting that New Zealand will win the 2026 T20 World Cup, but that's the way the Black Caps like it. The likes of India and Australia will be expected to go further in the competition, but New Zealand have the ability to go all the way.

They face a tricky opening game against Afghanistan in a tough Group D. South Africa are also in this group, but only two sides will progress into the next round. That means this opening-round fixture is absolutely vital. Lose and you've got a mountain to climb.

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If you want to watch New Zealand vs. Afghanistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is New Zealand vs. Afghanistan?

New Zealand vs. Afghanistan in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 12:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 8. This game takes place at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.

How to watch New Zealand vs. Afghanistan for free

New Zealand vs. Afghanistan 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 New Zealand vs. Afghanistan 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 (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.

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 ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2026 for free with ExpressVPN.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easy if you know your Super Bowl history.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: In the stat line

• Green: Super Bowl performers

• Blue: Super Bowl standouts

• Purple: Associated with the Big Game

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Stats for a QB

• Green: Super Bowl Halftime Show Performers

• Blue: Super Bowl MVPs

• Purple: Super Bowl___

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #503 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Stats for a QB - COMPLETIONS, INTERCEPTIONS, TOUCHDOWNS, YARDS

• Super Bowl Halftime Show Performers - GAGA, LAMAR, MARS, PETTY

• Super Bowl MVPs - BRANCH, HURTS, MONTANA, RICE

• Super Bowl___ - LX, MVP, SQUARES, SUNDAY

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

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

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

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 8, 2026

The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.

Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:

• Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.

• Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.

• Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.

• Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.

• Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.

If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for February 8, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 8 Pips

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 4. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 8 Pips

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed vertically; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is1-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed vertically.

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 8 Pips

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 2-1, placed horizontally.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.

Number (22): Everything in this space must add up to 22. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 5-5, placed horizontally; 6-2, placed horizontally.

Number (18): Everything in this space must add up to 18. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (5): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this green space must be greater than 2. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you like a strict regimen.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 8, 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 stuff down

• Green: Same ole

• Blue: Protected info

• Purple: Not one

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Suppress

• Green: Same old stuff

• Blue: Features of a strong password

• Purple: Words after "Two"

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 #973 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Suppress: GAG, INHIBIT, MUZZLE, SILENCE

• Same old stuff: DRILL, GRIND, HABIT, ROUTINE

• Features of a strong password: LENGTH, NUMBER, SYMBOL, UPPERCASE

• Words after "Two": BIT, CENTS, FACED, TIMER

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 8, 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 an alcoholic beverage.

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 8, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 8, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Make it fancy

The words are related to drinks.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to adorn a drink.

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 Cocktail Garnish

NYT Strands word list for February 8

• Twist

• Olive

• Sprig

• Celery

• Cocktail Garnish

• Shrimp

• Cherry

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 like to immerse yourself in things.

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 8, 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 8, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To implant.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter E.

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...

EMBED

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.

As the name suggests, Home Assistant was designed for smart home automation. It's a powerful tool for automating all the smart devices in your home. To my surprise, some of the best ways that I use Home Assistant have nothing to do with my smart home at all.

TL;DR: A $99.99 lifetime license to 1min.AI bundles AI tools for writing, images, PDFs, audio, and video in one place.

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription $99.99
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Anyone who handles writing, visuals, research, and document work on a Mac or PC knows how quickly even small tasks can add up. Switching between tools, copying files, and rewriting prompts can eat up time that could be better spent on big ideas. The 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan streamlines those steps by bringing together multiple AI-powered tools, and its lifetime subscription is now available for $99.99 (reg. $540).

Rather than locking users into a single assistant, 1min.AI lets you choose among several leading AI models, including GPT-4o, Claude 3, Gemini Pro, and others, based on the task. That flexibility is key when tone, structure, or output style changes from project to project. One model may excel at long-form blog posts, while another may be better for summarizing dense PDFs or generating social media copy.

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The platform leans heavily into efficiency. Writing tools cover blog generation, keyword research, rewriting, summarizing, grammar checks, and brand voice creation. Image tools handle upscaling, background removal, object edits, and prompt generation. Document features allow users to chat with PDFs, translate files, and extract answers without manual skimming.

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National Vehicle Safety Recalls week is March 2nd through the 8th here in the United States, raising awareness of the importance of checking for open recalls on our vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) organizes the campaign, which coincides with the spring-cleaning season, but it's good practice to check for recalls on your car year-round.

With so many Linux distros out there, and each maintaining unique and not-always-consistent release cycles, it can be hard to keep up with what's new. To keep you in the loop, here are some of the major Linux releases from January 2026.

TL;DR: Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows is available for $34.97 (reg. $219.99) for a limited time through Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $34.97
$219.99 Save $185.02   Get Deal

If you regularly work with documents, spreadsheets, presentations, or email, Microsoft Office Professional 2021 covers the basics in a single desktop suite. For a limited time, the Windows version is priced at $34.97 (reg. $219.99) through Feb. 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

This edition includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, and the free version of Teams. Together, these apps support a wide range of everyday tasks, from writing reports and managing email to building presentations and organizing data. The software installs locally on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems and does not require constant internet access once set up.

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Office 2021 uses Microsoft’s familiar ribbon-based interface, which groups formatting and editing tools in a consistent layout across apps. That makes it easier to move between writing in Word, working with spreadsheets in Excel, and assembling slides in PowerPoint without relearning controls. Excel supports large datasets and formulas for reporting, while Publisher and Access offer options for layout-focused documents and database management.

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is designed for Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems and installs directly on compatible PCs. Microsoft recommends at least 1GB of RAM, adequate available storage for installation, and a display resolution of 1280 x 800 or higher. The suite runs locally after installation and maintains its feature set consistent with the 2021 release.

For students, freelancers, or small teams who already know they want Microsoft Office tools on a Windows machine, this deal simplifies the decision. For just $34.97, down from $219.99, Microsoft Office Professional 2021 delivers a straightforward way to get established and familiar desktop apps at a lower cost, without requiring extra research into newer editions or add-ons.

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The entire internet has been buzzing about this new AI assistant OpenClaw, but is it really worth the hype? OpenClaw definitely delivers on the AI-powered future that I’ve wanted for a long time, but it comes with some negative side effects that you might not realize up front.

Wi-Fi is convenient and it's everywhere. Maybe it's because I grew up with only wired networks for my early years of computing, but I've always felt that Wi-Fi is a big compromise. The best Wi-Fi technology is, of course, pretty great, and in day-to-day use I have no complaints. However, there are still many things that the humble Ethernet cable is just so much better at doing.

SAVE $100: As of Feb. 7, Amazon has this 85-inch Samsung Smart TV on sale for $797, which is 11% off its list price of $897.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 85-Inch Class Crystal UHD U8000F 4K Smart TV $797.99 at Amazon
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If you’re someone who has been wanting the biggest TV money can buy (within reason), you could get close to making your dreams come true this weekend. Amazon has this 85-inch Samsung Smart TV on a modest sale that nets out to a $100 discount. It may only be 11% off this weekend, but this is the lowest price that this model has seen since it was listed.

This Smart TV is as packed with features as it is large (which is saying something at 85 inches). Enjoy rich, dazzling colors when you watch your favorite movies and shows in 4K on this TV. It even upgrades what you’re watching to 4K, even if the source material wasn’t 4K to begin with. Even though this model is absolutely massive, the TV is designed to be as sleek as possible and seamlessly fit into your existing aesthetic.

The TV also comes with Samsung’s proprietary Motion Xcelerator, which anticipates the frame rate of your program and smooths the picture out at up to 60Hz.

There’s no need to purchase an additional streaming system with this TV. The built-in Samsung TV OS lets you log in to your favorite streaming services and start binging your faves right away.

For almost 27 years, One Piece fans have joined Monkey D. Luffy on the voyage of a lifetime as he searches for the fabled treasure of Gol D. Roger. The long-running animated adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's beloved manga series has been a mainstay of the medium, surpassing 1100 episodes, releasing 15 movies, and now having been brought into the realm of live-action with a hit Netflix adaptation in 2023. If you love anime, One Piece is instantly recognizable, no matter whether you have seen the series or not.