Technology

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

Otherworldly.

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

GODLY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To saturate.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 9, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

IMBUE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To scrape by.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 9 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 9, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

EKING

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To hunt.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

CHASE

Final Hurdle hint

Office work.

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

ADMIN

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

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on Feb. 9-13. The new Free Romance Book Blast offers romance books in a variety of subgenres for your e-reader.

Have you got big plans for Valentine's Day? Cancel them, because a new Stuff Your Kindle Day just dropped.

The Stuff Your Kindle Day schedule has been predictably hectic in 2026. We had a number of free giveaways in January, but February is on another level. We count nine events this month. Not all of them are huge, but between the niche events and massive drops, bookworms are going to be kept busy.

The latest giveaway is hosted by the Indie Author Collective. Be My Valentine is a romance book blast, offering (you guessed it) free romance books from a variety of subgenres. Everything that you download for free is yours to keep forever, so don't hold back. So what if you've already got a huge stack of books waiting to be read. Add to your virtual pile without guilt.

SEE ALSO: I tested the best Kindles to help you find the perfect e-reader

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Be My Valentine takes place on Feb. 9-13. Recent Stuff Your Kindle Days have only lasted 24 hours, meaning participants have needed to act fast. That's stressful, so this five-day event is a welcome change. You can take stock of your options, pick your favorites, and download without getting worked up. It's much more civilized.

Which ebooks are free?

Be My Valentine is all about romance titles. We'll know more about which titles are included as the event gets going, but it's important to note that anyone can participate in Stuff Your Kindle Day. Kindle and Kobo readers can download these romance books for free.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + Kindle Unlimited (3 Months) $109.99 at Amazon
  Get Deal Why we like it

These popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Plus, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free with your purchase.

TL;DR: Live stream South Africa vs. Canada 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 opening round of games at the 2026 T20 World Cup includes some really interesting matchups, including South Africa vs. Canada. Sure, South Africa will be expected to win this game without too much hassle, but anything can happen in T20 cricket.

Group D is probably the toughest in the tournament, with South Africa, Afghanistan, and New Zealand gunning for the two qualification spots. There's little room for error in this competition, so South Africa will be looking to start strongly here.

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

When is South Africa vs. Canada?

South Africa vs. Canada in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 9. This game takes place at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

How to watch South Africa vs. Canada for free

South Africa vs. Canada 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 South Africa vs. Canada 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 marks the Third Quarter Moon, halfway between full and new. We see exactly half of the Moon lit up, with illumination on the left-hand side. So, there's around a 50% chance of spotting some features on the Moon's surface, what can you see?

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Monday, Feb. 9, the Moon phase is Third Quarter. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 652% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

But what can you see? With no visual aids, you should be able to see the Mare Imbrium, Copernicus Crater, and the Aristarchus Plateau. With binoculars, you'll also be able to see Clavius, and the Archimedes Craters, and the Grimaldi Basin. If you have a telescope, you'll also be able to see the Apollo 14 landing spot, the Schiller Crater, and 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.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was once — is still, really — a meme. He is also a Super Bowl champion. And social media lit up on Sunday because of that fact.

Darnold was perhaps the story of 2026's Super Bowl LX — won by the Seattle Seahawks over the New England Patriots — because everyone loves an underdog. Darnold, a former top prospect, flamed out while playing for the flailing New York Jets and Carolina Panthers. Pit stops in San Francisco and Minnesota then led to Sunday's triumphant victory with Seattle.

It was a full reversal for Darnold, who was once relegated to memedom. An admittedly hilarious graphic from 2019 created a meme format — Darnold pointing while given a random illness or ailment.

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Fans of Darnold, widely known as a chill and good guy, even created a subreddit called r/The_Darnold, where they celebrated the QB and all his associated memes. He was both beloved and mocked. Naturally, then, the memes flowed as Darnold led Seattle to victory in Super Bowl LX on Sunday. It was largely a celebration of an athlete who overcame lots of doubt and tough times.

It’s time to post this. Confirmed. Sam Darnold is a Super Bowl Champion. ilovecitr.us/darnold/

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— Douglas Reyes-Ceron (@dreyesceron.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 10:23 PM

And Sam Darnold, who was NOT out indefinitely

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— Lindsay Ballant (@lballant.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 10:32 PM

Sam Darnold won a Super Bowl

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— CJ Fogler (@cjzero.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 10:25 PM

Sam Darnold first half summary

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— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL AKA PRESIDENT FOOTBALL (@edsbs.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 8:08 PM

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— Ed Zitron (@edzitron.com) February 8, 2026 at 10:26 PM

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— RandBall’s Stu (@randballsstu.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 10:26 PM

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold is now a Super-Bowl winning quarterback

— NFL Daily News (@insidenflnews.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 10:26 PM

It's always heartwarming you get to see such an amazing comeback story — and the internet certainly celebrated Darnold's moment in the sun on Sunday.

In what will likely go down as one of the least thrilling Super Bowls in recent memory, the Seattle Seahawks finally got their revenge against the New England Patriots, defeating the AFC champions 29–13 to win Super Bowl LX.

The game got off to a sluggish start, with one of the league’s most explosive offenses in Seattle running headfirst into a relentless New England defense. The same stalemate played out on the other side of the ball, as Drake Maye’s Patriots offense struggled to generate any momentum against Seattle’s top-ranked scoring defense. Dubbed the Darkside Defense, a modern successor to the Legion of Boom, the Seahawks held New England to just 13 points, racking up seven sacks (tying a Super Bowl record) and forcing an interception in the process.

As for Patriots fans, the vibes are bleak.

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And for Seattle fans, the win brought the Seattle Seahawks even more joy. Not only did the franchise secure its second Super Bowl title in team history, but it also avenged one of the most infamous plays in NFL lore.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Sam Darnold is a Super Bowl champion

The funniest and most satisfying outcome of the win is what it’s done for Sam Darnold’s legacy. Once widely written off as a bust, the Seattle Seahawks quarterback has now won the biggest game of his life. His diehard supporters, who have long and very ironically dubbed him GEQBUS, short for "God Emperor Quarterback of the United States," are absolutely losing their minds. Over on the subreddit r/the_darnold, fans are firmly on cloud nine, basking in the kind of vindication only a Super Bowl win can deliver.

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The Super Bowl is built on tradition. Cracking open a beer, demolishing a plate of wings with friends, filling out Super Bowl Squares, and at this point, betting on the color of the Gatorade shower.

Thanks to the widespread legalization of sports betting and the explosion of prop bets in the U.S., you can now wager on just about anything. Over the past few years, one of the strangest traditions to become fully normalized is betting on the postgame Gatorade dunk, when the winning team douses its head coach in the fluorescent sports drink.

You can currently place wagers on events far more serious than a locker-room celebration, including ongoing global conflicts. Against that backdrop, guessing the color of a sugary sports drink feels almost quaint. Last year, the winning color was yellow at +250 odds, even though purple was the favorite at +175, according to DraftKings via the New York Post.

Odds vary depending on where you place your bet. On Polymarket, blue currently has the most money behind it, while over at BetMGM, orange is favored at +225, with yellow, green/lime, and blue all trailing closely behind at +260.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. The winner is a back-to-back champ

Sorry, blue bettors, but for the second year in a row, yellow came out on top. The winning Gatorade color once again defied expectations, even though it felt inevitable to anyone closely tracking the odds.

That said, a handful of fans were annoyed by how the result was revealed. Instead of waiting until the final whistle, the broadcast tipped its hand earlier than expected, effectively spoiling the prop bet before the game had officially ended.

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The Super Bowl isn’t just about touchdowns — it's also Hollywood’s most expensive movie night.

As millions tune in for Super Bowl 2026, studios seize the moment to unveil new trailers, betting that nothing sells a blockbuster quite like debuting it in the middle of America's biggest TV event.

SEE ALSO: Super Bowl 2026 cheat sheet: Players, performers, storylines to watch

So, what can we expect during this year's Big Game? Movie fans are in for a stacked lineup of first looks and TV spots. According to Variety, Disney is putting all its weight behind The Mandalorian and Grogu, which already has a teaser in theaters now and is slated to bring Star Wars back to the Super Bowl stage once again.

Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day and animated tentpoles like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Minions 3 are all reported to have new footage during the broadcast.

Horror fans should be on the lookout for Scream 7, and it appears Lionsgate has spent on a pre-game ad spot for the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael. Beyond these, rumors are swirling about other potential Super Bowl weekend appearances by Pixar films Toy Story 5 and Hoppers, though nothing is yet guaranteed.

Yoshi faces off against a T. rex in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

All Super Mario fans know that Yoshi is small but mighty. Case in point: the latest TV spot for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which features Yoshi going toe to toe with a giant T. rex.

It's the Minions vs. a very bad bunny in Minions & Monsters

Gen Z's favorite little freaks (aka the Minions) are back to cause even more chaos in Minions & Monsters. This time: They're summoning monsters because why not! There's a cute little green guy, a scary-looking blue guy, and one very bad bunny (not to be confused with the Bad Bunny). Oh, and there's a Blackpink needle drop! How you like that?

Brad Pitt is Cliff Booth...again!

Did the world need a sequel to Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood? No, not really. But are we getting one anyway? Absolutely. Brad Pitt reprises his standout role as Hollywood stuntman Cliff Booth in Netflix's The Adventures of Cliff Booth, coming to the streamer sometime soon. It looks like it's going to be a wild ride.

SEE ALSO: 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood': How do you solve a puzzle like Cliff? Let The Mandalorian and Grogu show you the way

Baby Yoda Grogu is back, and he's on the big screen. The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to release in theaters over Memorial Day Weekend, on May 22.

SEE ALSO: 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' trailer: Pedro Pascal and Baby Yoda head for high-stakes space adventure Steven Spielberg returns to original sci-fi with Disclosure Day

Steven Spielberg returns with the original sci-fi event film, Disclosure Day, which imagines a world on the verge of undeniable proof that humans are not alone in the universe — and the fear that comes with it.

Ghostface is back in Scream 7

Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) thought she'd finally escaped her past, but when a new Ghostface killer strikes her quiet town and targets her daughter (Isabel May), the nightmare begins again. In Scream 7, Sidney is pulled back into the horror she knows all too well.

SEE ALSO: 'Scream 7' trailer: Neve Campbell returns, but that's not what has us screaming

Will she end the bloodshed once and for all? We'll have to find out when the film hits theaters later this month.

Supergirl reveals Krypto as a puppy and also Krypton

DC has cleverly prepped a Krypto-forward Supergirl trailer to air during the Puppy Bowl. You also get a glimpse at Krypton, but we know what you're all here for.

Project Hail Mary gets a final look

Project Hail Mary, a Ryan Gosling-led sci-fi movie based on a 2021 best-selling novel, dropped an extended trailer. In the preview, we see Gosling's Ryland Grace bonding with a rocky-looking Alien (named Rocky) as they attempt to save their respective worlds.

We'll be updating this with all of the latest trailers, so be sure to check back throughout the night.

Some people watch the Super Bowl for football. Some people watch it for the halftime show. But for many of us, the significantly more expensive-than-usual commercials are the star of the show.

With Super Bowl LX on everyone's minds, it's time to take stock of the best commercials that aired during the game. Some of them went online as much as a week ahead of time, while others waited until the game to strut their stuff. Here are the best Super Bowl LX commercials as far as we're concerned.

Anthropic made fun of ChatGPT

Anthropic has launched a series of Super Bowl ads to make fun of OpenAI for leaning into ads on ChatGPT.

Guy Fieri gets a makeover for Bosch

Beloved internet chef Guy Fieri is teaming up with power tool maker Bosch for its "Like a Bosch" campaign. The spot opens on a surprisingly restrained version of Fieri, clean-shaven and sans frosted tips, doing mundane everyday tasks. Once Bosch tools enter the picture, he snaps back into his full Flavortown persona, flames and all.

The Budweiser horses are at it again Google tries to humanize Gemini AI

Google’s "New Home" spot centers on a mother walking her son through the empty rooms of a house she’s just purchased for them. The ad then pivots to showcase the capabilities of Gemini AI, which fills each room with furniture and objects tailored to what the boy wants.

It’s meant to be warm and aspirational, framing AI as a helpful collaborator rather than something cold or abstract — a fear that some ChatGPT users have been freaking out over.

Amazon Alexa wants to kill Chris Hemsworth

One of several ads the tech giant is rolling out, this spot stars Chris Hemsworth spiraling over just how advanced Amazon’s Alexa has become, to the point where he’s convinced it might be capable of killing him.

The premise is played entirely for laughs, with the Avengers actor dramatically preparing for the worst, including squaring up against a bear, while Alexa calmly reassures him that it harbors no ill will.

HR tech firm Rippling has Tim Robinson going mad

Capitalizing on the critical success of The Chair Company, HR software firm Rippling released a 30-second spot starring Tim Robinson in full spiral mode. The ad finds Robinson growing increasingly unhinged after realizing he still hasn’t been paid, only to discover his company is inexplicably juggling multiple global payroll platforms.

More vibe coding from Base44

This spot is more straightforward, depicting a group of office workers reacting in awe as an AI-powered program seemingly codes an entire app on demand. The pitch is clear: effortless creation at the push of a button.

Whether the software actually works out of the box or avoids the security and stability issues that plague most vibe coding projects remains an open question, but that uncertainty isn’t something the ad lingers on.

T-Mobile and the Backstreet Boys want to sell phone plans

Backstreet Boys are back with T-Mobile, popping up at the carrier’s Times Square store to serenade unsuspecting customers about why they should switch providers.

Hellman's Neil Diamond parody

Neil Diamond cover singers are having a moment. Hellmann’s continues its Super Bowl nostalgia streak by leaning hard into ’80s vibes, this time with Andy Samberg playing Meal Diamond, crooning passionately about his love for mayonnaise on sandwiches.

Ritz takes you to the islands

Actors Jon Hamm and Bowen Yang star in a Ritz cracker ad where they're "salty" — get it? — about not getting invited to a stellar island party.

State Farm parodies a Bon Jovi song

State Farm enlisted Danny McBride and Keegan-Michael Key to parody Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer." They sang as the "other" insurance guys who barely cover a thing.

Benson Boone and Ben Stiller go bananas

Singer (and guy who does flips) Benson Boone and actor Ben Stiller did a spot for Instacart where they played '80-ish musicians trying to sell you bananas. We won't spoil it...but Stiller does try to match Boone's acrobatics.

Emma Stone gets dramatic about domains

It does seem like all the good domain names are taken — and actor Emma Stone delivered an overly dramatic performance about it for Squarespace.

Pepsi takes the polar bears

Coke ran ads featuring polar bears for years, but Pepsi jumped in and "stole" the animal for their big game ad in 2026. The bears break their old habit and become Pepsi lovers in the clever ad.

Andy Cohen sells gummy clusters

As a huge Bravo fan, I appreciated ringmaster Andy Cohen selling Nerds Gummy Clusters while strutting down a red carpet.

Pokémon brings out the celebs

Pokémon called on some big names for their Super Bowl ad, including Lady Gaga, Trevor Noah, and Lamine Yamal.

Good Will Dunkin'

Dunkin' reimagined Good Will Hunting as a sitcom in its Super Bowl ad. Seinfeld's Jason Alexander and Friends' Matt LeBlanc make an appearance in the funny spot.

Novartis and tight ends

Pharma company Novartis featured some famous tight-end rear-ends — including George Kittle and Rob Gronkowski — for its blood-test version of a prostate exam.

We'll be updating this with all of the latest trailers, so be sure to check back throughout the night.

President Donald Trump did not like Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show, which, well, was to be expected.

Trump raged against the Puerto Rican megastar's performance, which was widely beloved by lots of folks online.

"The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!" the president wrote. "It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence."

Trump crashes out over Bad Bunny’s halftime show

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) February 8, 2026 at 9:02 PM

Right-wing figures across the country were enraged that a Spanish-language artist headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show, despite Bad Bunny being arguably the biggest star in the world. It was expected that the president would speak out against the show.

"This 'Show' is just a 'slap in the face' to our Country, which is setting new standards and records every single day," Trump posted.

Bad Bunny did deliver a political message about unity across all the Americas despite not making an overt anti-Trump statement during the show.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you make clothing.

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 February 9, 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: Fabric making

• Green: Technique

• Blue: Book money

• Purple: To take out

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Used in weaving

• Green: Method

• Blue: Kinds of payment for an author

• Purple: Draw ___

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 #974 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Used in weaving: LOOM, NEEDLE, SCISSORS, YARN

• Method: APPROACH, MANNER, STYLE, LAW

• Kinds of payment for an author: ADVANCE, BONUS, FEE, ROYALTY

• Draw ___: NEAR, POKER, STRAWS, THE LINE

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 9, 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're always catching flights.

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 9, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 9, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Frequent flyer

The words are related to traveling.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe air travel.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Airports

NYT Strands word list for February 9

• Runway

• Security

• Passport

• Airports

• Tarmac

• Luggage

• Pilot

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 musician.

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 9, 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 9, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A large string instrument.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter L appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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...

CELLO

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.

There's a lot to unpack in Bad Bunny's Super Bowl LX halftime show — from the opening shot in Puerto Rico's sugarcane fields to cameos from cultural icons like María Antonia "Toñita" Cay. But one detail has sparked especially intense speculation online: the custom cream jersey he wore, embroidered with "Ocasio 64" on the back.

Part of the meaning is straightforward. Bad Bunny's given name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, making "Ocasio" his government surname.

The number "64," however, is more ambiguous. Some fans have speculated that it may reference his mother's birth year, 1964 — a theory that remains unconfirmed.

SEE ALSO: Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime show had a specific political message

A more politically charged interpretation emerged after the performance. In a livestream following the show, Joe Coscarelli of The New York Times pointed out that 64 was the initial death toll Puerto Rico's government reported after Hurricane Maria in 2017, a figure later revealed to be dramatically underestimated. Independent studies eventually placed the true death toll in the thousands.

The disputed number became a flashpoint for public outrage. Coscarelli explained how protesters placed shoes outside government buildings to represent loved ones lost in the storm, calling attention to what many saw as official efforts to downplay the disaster's human cost. Bad Bunny later revealed that he, too, had contributed his own shoes to those memorials.

Viewed through that lens, "64" reads less like a personal detail and more like a pointed act of remembrance and quiet protest.

That interpretation is reinforced by the show's staging. At one point, Bad Bunny climbs atop a utility pole, while dancers perform suspended from sparking power poles, imagery that recalls the widespread blackouts and infrastructure collapse that followed Hurricane Maria. Millions were left without electricity for months, making power outages one of the storm's most enduring symbols.

Taken together, the jersey, the staging, and the setting suggest that Bad Bunny wasn't just delivering a spectacle. He was narrating Puerto Rican history.

We'll update this story if Bad Bunny confirms the meaning of the jersey.

Depending on who you ask, there’s a narrow and deeply held idea of what it means to be "American." During his Super Bowl halftime performance, Bad Bunny pushed back on that definition, making it clear that people across both halves of the Americas are American, whether or not they fit into that limited vision.

The message was made explicit at the end of the set, when Bad Bunny held up a football emblazoned with the phrase “Together we are America,” framed by the flags of Latin American countries behind him. It was a simple visual, but a pointed one, underscoring a broader idea of American identity that extends well beyond borders, language, or race.

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Much had been speculated about whether Bad Bunny would make an overt political statement during the show, especially after his more pointed remarks at the Grammys, where he capped his Best Album win with “ICE out.” Instead, the artist opted for something quieter and ultimately more powerful: a message rooted in unity and love in the face of hate.

Amid Bad Bunny’s stunning Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, it appeared that users on X were having some trouble with the site.

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According to Down Detector (owned by Mashable’s parent company, Ziff Davis), there was a noticeable spike in user-reported issues with the Elon Musk–owned platform's search function and notifications. The latter has reportedly been a problem for a few days now, but the timing of the surge in reports also coincided with Bad Bunny’s performance.

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Now, are we saying that Bad Bunny caused this? No — but users on X certainly are.

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The timing also felt especially ironic given X’s increasingly right-wing user base, many of whom had already spent the past several months criticizing Bad Bunny’s selection as the halftime headliner and were actively promoting an alternative, explicitly conservative “halftime show” airing elsewhere.

While fans were certainly excited about Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show performance, people also wondered if he'd bring up President Donald Trump or ICE. And while he may not have mentioned them by name, there was certainly a political message in his performance.

Toward the end of the stellar halftime performance, Bad Bunny — notably speaking in English — said "God Bless America." He then, however, referenced all the countries in the Americas, not just the United States. It was a pointed message of unity and togetherness.

SEE ALSO: Bad Bunny's 'Ocasio 64' jersey meaning explained

OK "god bless america" and then naming every country in the americas from south to north is absolute king shit

— Kevin Gannon (now a Moo Deng fan account) (@thetattooedprof.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 8:33 PM

"God Bless America:" then he lists most of the countries in the hemisphere starting with Chile I think? this rules

— Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò (@olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 8:32 PM

Benito said "God Bless America," and then proceeded to name every country in South and North America. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

— Ida B Wells' Winchester Rifle (@dytsras.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 8:33 PM

Bad Bunny also held up a football the read, "Together We Are America."

Bad Bunny “together we are America”

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— NFL Daily News (@insidenflnews.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 8:35 PM

Bad Bunny “together we are America”

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— NFL Daily News (@insidenflnews.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 8:35 PM

The Puerto Rican megastar has regularly been an outspoken critic of both President Donald Trump and ICE. For instance, Bad Bunny echoed the activist rallying cry of "ICE out" during his Grammy acceptance speech and excluded the U.S. in his tour to avoid his fans being harassed by ICE.

"People from the U.S. could come here to see the show. Latinos and Puerto Ricans of the United States could also travel here, or to any part of the world," he told i-D magazine. "But there was the issue that … ICE could be outside (my concert venue). And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about."

So it was not a surprise that he delivered a message, if not totally explicit, at the Super Bowl.

Earlier in the day, Green Day — another outspoken critic of Trump and ICE — opted not to make an explicit political statement during their pre-game Super Bowl performance. They did play the song "American Idiot," however, which has an obvious political message.

Global superstar Bad Bunny took over Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, headlining the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on Sunday, Feb. 8.

The performance marked a major cultural moment for the Super Bowl, as Bad Bunny brought reggaeton and Latin trap to one of the biggest stages in entertainment, delivering a halftime set that blended global pop dominance with unmistakable Latin flair.

Thus, social media responded accordingly.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. What an amazing set

Bad Bunny kicked things off with quite possibly the best set ever seen in the halftime show. Starting the show off with "Tití Me Preguntó," then transitioning into "Yo Perrero Sola."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Lady Gaga sings "Die with a Smile."

As teased earlier in the day, Lady Gaga did make a surprise appearance to perform a salsa version of her "Die With a Smile duet" — notably without Bruno Mars.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Ricky Martin is here!

Ricky Martin was also announced to make an appearance, and that didn't disappoint either.

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Ricky!

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— CJ Fogler (@cjzero.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM

Ricky Martin just won me a bet with my wife. Thank you Ricky.

— Hunter Walker (@hunterw.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 7:29 PM

Ricky Martin just got me pregnant

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— Stone Cold Jane Austen (@abbyhiggs.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 7:33 PM This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Closing out the show

Bad Bunny's halftime show was spectacular and maybe broke X for a little bit. To close out the show, the Puerto Rican artist displayed a billboard that read "The only thing more powerful than hate is love." Behind him were all the flags representing Latin America.

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Bad Bunny turned the Super Bowl Halftime Show into a full-blown party, packing years of hits into a nonstop, high-energy performance.

Performing in front of millions of viewers, the Puerto Rican artist — who stepped out on the field in a custom cream jersey with his last name "Ocasio" embroidered on it — moved from song to song, blending reggaetón anthems, global crossover smashes, and recent fan favorites from his Grammy-winning album Bad Bunny DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS as dancers filled the field and the crowd roared along.

SEE ALSO: Bad Bunny's Grammys pause is now the internet's go-to reaction meme

From early career fan favorites like "Tití Me Preguntó" to more recent hits like "BAILE INoLVIDABLE," Bad Bunny's setlist was designed to appeal to both longtime listeners and the massive television audience tuning in for the NFL's biggest night. Still, the song choices offered a clear snapshot of Bad Bunny's career and cultural impact.

He even honored the reggaeton artists who paved the way by including the global hit "Gasolina" by Daddy Yankee in his perreo segment.

What songs did Bad Bunny sing at the Super Bowl?

Here's every song he performed during the Super Bowl halftime show, in order.

1. "Tití Me Preguntó"

2. "Yo perreo sola"

3. "Safaera"

4. "VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR"

5. "EoO"

6. "MONACO"

7. "Die With a Smile" (feat. Lady Gaga)

8. "BAILE INoLVIDABLE"

9. "NUEVAYoL"

10. "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii" (feat. Ricky Martin)

11. "El Apagon"

12. "CAFé CON RON"

13. "DtMF"

At Super Bowl LX, Bad Bunny turned an American stage into a global dance floor, and in doing so, he celebrated all of the Americas — even holding a football that read, "Together, we are America" — proving that the biggest Super Bowl moments can come not just from football, but from the music that unites us all.

For lots of Americans the Super Bowl Halftime Show is the main attraction of the big game. That proved especially true for 2026's Super Bowl LX, which was headlined by Puerto Rican megastar Bad Bunny.

While some folks scoffed at Bad Bunny's selection as performer — mostly those who claimed to take offense to a Spanish-language artist — he's perhaps the most popular musician in the world.

But it wasn't just Bad Bunny that hit the stage on Sunday. It's become a bit of a tradition for Super Bowl performers to invite other stars to make cameos, and Bad Bunny didn't disappoint in that regard, either.

Here's a quick look at who made cameos with Bad Bunny.

Cardi B

Cardi B made an early appearance in the halftime show, in the mix with Bad Bunny's dancers.

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

Just like at his concerts, celebs were spotted dancing on a casita set piece. At the halftime performance, Pedro Pascal made a notable, if fleeting, appearance. (At least we think that was him.)

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Speaking of celebs in the casita, we're pretty sure we saw Jessica Alba there, too.

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Lady freaking Gaga herself joined Bad Bunny to sing her hit "Die With a Smile."

LADY GAGA HAS JOINED THE SUPER BOWL LX HALFTIME SHOW

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— The Athletic (@theathletic.com) February 8, 2026 at 8:30 PM This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Ricky Martin

One generational Puerto Rican star invited another onstage, with Bad Bunny welcoming Ricky Martin to the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Ricky!

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— CJ Fogler (@cjzero.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 8:30 PM

RICKY GD MARTIN

— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr.bsky.social) February 8, 2026 at 8:29 PM Alix Earle

Popular influencer Alix Earle — one of Mashable's 101 most influential creators — made a brief cameo during the performance.

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Puerto Rican rapper Young Miko was spotted in the background during Bad Bunny's performance.

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Colombian singer Karol G was spotted in the background on the stage with Bad Bunny, one of many celebs to make a quick cameo.

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She might not be a household name, but María Antonia "Toñita" Cay appeared in the halftime show, handing Bad Bunny a drink. She runs the Caribbean Social Club in Brooklyn, New York, which Bad Bunny frequents and name-drops in a song. The bar has been a staple in the Puerto Rican community but has gained fame thanks to Bad Bunny.

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This story is developing and will be updated...