IT General

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love Italian food.

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.

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SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 24, 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: Italian must-haves

• Green: They have tentacles

• Blue: They cut

• Purple: You haul them

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Pizza ingredients

• Green: Associated with octopuses

• Blue: They have blades

• Purple: What "Cab" might refer to

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 #1047 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Pizza ingredients: CHEESE, DOUGH, PEPPERONI, TOMATO SAUCE

• Associated with octopuses: ARMS, INK, INTELLIGENCE, SUCTION CUPS

• They have blades: GRASS, HELICOPTER, ICE SKATES, LAWN MOWER

• What "Cab" might refer to: CABIN, CALLOWAY, RED WINE, TAXI

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 April 24, 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 today's Connections.

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, April 24, 2026:

AcrossWith 6-Across, kind of person who loves when things are messy

• The answer is Drama.

See 1-Across

• The answer is Queen.

Circus prop that provides extra height

• The answer is Stilt.

"___ boy!"

• The answer is Hoo.

Hoped-for symbol on a weather app

• The answer is Sun.

DownTosses out of a competition, informally

• The answer is DQs.

___ Chris Steak House (restaurant chain)

• The answer is Ruths.

Vowel quintet

• The answer is AEIOU.

Fruit that's often in an Edible Arrangement

• The answer is Melon.

Crumb-carrying insect

• The answer is Ant.

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

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

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

SAVE OVER $300: As of April 24, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 is on sale for $1,298.99 at Amazon. That's a 19% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Jackery Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 $1,298.99 at Amazon
$1,599 Save $300.01   Get Deal

The Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 with solar panels is back on sale at Amazon, and for a limited time, you can save $300.

This stacked unit can power anything from a fridge to a laptop, and now it's down to $1,298.99 from $1,599. This deal includes the unit plus two 200W solar panels, however there are various upgrade options including charging cables, protective cases, or even additional units.

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This is a great option if you're looking for a high-capacity portable power station designed for strong, reliable backup. It'll see you through power outages at home, at work, and keep you well connected when camping. It delivers a 2,200W output with a 2,042Wh capacity, along with multiple AC outlets and a 100W USB-C port for fast charging devices.

But despite its performance, Jackery states it's more compact than many similar units, weighing 39.5 pounds and built with cell-to-body technology to help improve space efficiency and durability. It's also built with a LiFePO4 battery, which gives it serious longevity. You're looking at around 10 years of use.

This Jackery deal is available at Amazon now.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 NRL for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There are few other sports that can compete with rugby league when it comes to physicality and skill. It's clever handling and outrageous trickery combined with absolute brutality, and that's why we all love it.

And if you're looking for all of that and more on a weekly basis, you should check out the NRL. It's an electric competition featuring some of the best players and teams in the world. We're definitely not knocking what you get in the Northern Hemisphere, but there's something special about the National Rugby League. It feels like something wild happens every week.

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

What is the NRL?

The National Rugby League (NRL) is a professional rugby league competition in Australasia, including clubs from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, and New Zealand.

Each team plays 24 matches in the regular season, with the first-placed team at the end awarded the minor premiership. This is followed by a finals series contested between the eight highest-placed teams from the regular season, culminating in the NRL Grand Final.

The defending champions are the Brisbane Broncos.

When is the 2026 NRL?

The 2026 NRL season is the 119th edition of professional rugby league in Australia and the 29th season run by the National Rugby League. This season runs from Feb. 28 to Sept. 5.

How to watch the 2026 NRL for free

Select fixtures from the 2026 NRL season are available to live stream for free on 9Now.

9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, 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 Australia, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the NRL from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 NRL from anywhere in the world 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 Australia

4. Visit 9Now

5. Live stream the 2026 NRL 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 NRL without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select NRL fixtures before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for 9Now?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 9Now, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• 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).

Live stream the 2026 NRL for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 AFL for free on 7plus. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Aussie Rules is a uniquely fast-paced and physical game that provides entertainment to millions of fans every week, but for whatever reason, this entertaining sport hasn't really traveled outside of Australia. We think that should change, because we firmly believe that the rest of the world would absolutely love footy.

What's not to love. Outrageous displays of skill? Check. Huge tackles and the occasional physical altercation? Check. Some of the best haircuts and facial hair you've ever seen? A big check.

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

What is the AFL?

The Australian Football League (AFL) is the leading professional competition of Aussie Rules Football.

The AFL currently consists of 18 teams spread over Australia's five mainland states. The league features 23 rounds in the regular season, with the team with the best record awarded the minor premiership. The top 10 teams from the regular season standings compete in a five-round finals series, culminating in the AFL Grand Final.

SEE ALSO: How to watch NRL live streams online for free

The defending champions are the Brisbane Lions.

When is the 2026 AFL?

The 2026 AFL season is the 130th edition of the Australian Football League. This season runs from March 5 to Sept. 26.

How to watch the 2026 AFL for free

Every round of the 2026 AFL season is available to live stream for free on 7plus.

This free coverage includes matches on Thursday nights, Friday nights, State Footy Saturdays, Sunday afternoons, and Sunday night games. 7plus will also show marquee games and every match in the AFL Finals Series including the Brownlow Medal and the 2026 AFL Grand Final.

7plus is geo-restricted to Australia, 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 Australia, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the AFL from anywhere in the world.

Live stream 2026 AFL from anywhere in the world 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 Australia

4. Visit 7plus

5. Live stream 2026 AFL 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 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 watch the 2026 AFL without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select AFL fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 7plus?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 7plus, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• 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 one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also 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 the 2026 AFL for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE OVER $400: As of April 24, the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 is on sale for $394.97 at Amazon. That's a 51% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bluetti Bluetti Elite 100 V2 $394.97 at Amazon
$799 Save $404.03   Get Deal

If you're on the lookout for a new portable power station, Amazon has some incredible deals on brands like Jackery, DJI, and Bluetti right now.

As of April 24, there's a new deal on the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 that's caught our eye. Right now, this compact unit is over $400 off, taking the price down from $799 to $394.97. That's more than half off for a limited time.

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If you're looking for something that's both powerful and compact, this model has been designed to deliver strong performance without taking up too much space. It has a 1,024Wh capacity with 1,800W AC output (up to 2,700W lifting power) and a total of 11 ports, making it suitable for powering multiple devices at once. It's ideal for both off-grid camping trips and power outages at home, and can run anything from your phone to a fridge.

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You can find this portable power station deal at Amazon right now.

Credit: Philipp Klinger

Last week I noted that most companies are either already hacked or could easily be hacked -- and, when they have anything worth stealing, are probably already owned by multiple APT (advanced persistent threat) groups.

The pros and cons of Linux Mint 17, from 5-year support to the fact that it won't run on ARM-based tablets Dek:  The pros and cons of Linux Mint 17, from 5-year support to the fact that it won't run on ARM-based tablets External Source:  networkworld.com Redirect Unpublished Slideshow to:  http://www.networkworld.com/slideshow/163305

Brian Stevens, the former CTO for Red Hat, is now managing Google Cloud. This move will provide more cloud leadership at Google, but it also leaves questions about what's happening at Red Hat.

The collection and analysis of big data holds great promise, but may also lead some companies to create profiles of consumers leading to discrimination, the chairwoman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said Monday.

Fast development or fast execution, take your pick. Python programmers elect to go with the former, but have always sought ways to make their choice of language run a little faster.

Apple's new programming language Swift has been public for a few short months, but the Apple faithful are already bowle

The idea of distributed, componentized applications goes back a long way. Most notoriously, it emerged in the form of the SOA (service-oriented architecture) trend that peaked eight yeas ago. Now, it's back -- as microservices architecture.

Credit: Oleksiy Fedorov