Mashable

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you believe in ghosts.

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 October 3, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: A figment of your imagination

The words are related to the paranormal.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ghostly things.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Willothewisp.

NYT Strands word list for October 3

• Specter

• Chimera

• Mirage

• Willothewisp

• Phantasm

• Illusion

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 easily bothered.

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 October 3 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.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Annoyance.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter P appears three times.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

PEEVE

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.

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

TL;DR: Live stream Pakistan vs. India in the 2026 Asian Games for free on MeWatch (Singapore) / KBS, MBC, SBS (South Korea) / VTV (Vietnam). Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

This weekend's sport schedule is extremely busy. We've got NFL, international soccer, F1, and so much more, but there's one event that stands out above the rest: Pakistan vs. India in the final of the Asian Games cricket tournament. It really doesn't get any bigger than this.

India were expected to reach this stage. They brought a very strong squad to Japan, but they still had to deliver on those lofty expectations. Pakistan will provide a tough test in the final. India haven't secured a gold medal just yet.

If you want to watch Pakistan vs. India in the 2026 Asian Games for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Pakistan vs. India?

Pakistan vs. India in the 2026 Asian Games cricket final starts at 12:30 a.m. ET on Oct. 3. This fixture takes place at Korogi Sports Park.

How to watch Pakistan vs. India for free

Pakistan vs. India in the 2026 Asian Games cricket final is available to live stream for free on MeWatch in Singapore, KBS, MBC, and SBS in South Korea, and VTV in Vietnam.

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your digital location and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can gain access to Pakistan vs. India from anywhere in the world.

Watch Pakistan vs. India in the 2026 Asian Games cricket final by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend 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 Singapore, South Korea, or Vietnam

4. Visit MeWatch, KBS, MBC, SBS, or VTV

5. Watch the 2026 Asian Games cricket final 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 they do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these offers, you can secure access to Pakistan vs. India without committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2026 Asian Games cricket final before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the Asian Games?

ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming live sport, 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

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Watch Pakistan vs. India in the 2026 Asian Games for free with ExpressVPN.

Apple has just been forced to respond to the flurry of AI agent apps, like Meta's Muse, which are accessing Mac users' private data.

According to Apple, the company will soon release additional controls to "Full Disk Access," which will explicitly ask Mac users if they'd like to grant a third-party access to a specific part of their system. With Full Disk Access, AI agents can complete a much wider range of tasks for users, but these users may not understand the cybersecurity risks of agentic AI.

Apple says it is specifically doing this due to the rise of AI agents like Muse, which recently surpassed 5 million downloads, and the risks associated with handing over full access to a user's full private data.

SEE ALSO: Big banks are worried AI agents could increase the risk of scams and fraud

When a Mac user downloads a third-party app, some apps require the ability to access specific functionality on their computer. Apple requires that these apps ask a user to access that functionality. For example, a third-party webcam app is forced by Apple to ask the user for permission to access the Mac's camera and audio devices. A user must grant that access before an app can use that Mac function.

Some apps, like a backup app, for example, require access to the entire Mac system. In order to cover all of these functions in one swoop, from email to messages to file systems, Apple allows apps to request "Full Disk Access."

However, AI agents that run autonomously add additional risks that other apps simply don't when given this type of access. For example, Inc. columnist Jason Aten recently discovered that Meta's Muse AI assistant somehow had synced his entire local Messages database and was using those messages as context for its tasks.

Aten claims he denied giving Muse permission to access Messages. Meta claims it's impossible for Muse to do so if Aten did decline providing Muse with these permissions. Apple now wants to make it more explicit when an app asks for these permissions and a user grants them.

Apple's full update is posted below:

"We give developers powerful APIs to build incredible capabilities into their apps for Apple products, backed by a set of controls designed to protect users’ private data. Full Disk Access largely sidesteps these controls in order to allow backup apps to function properly on the Mac. Some developers are using Full Disk Access in ways that could put users at risk, exposing everything on their systems—including files, mail, messages, and even browsing history—without users’ full knowledge and understanding. For communication apps, this can also compromise the privacy of the people users are communicating with. 

Going forward, we will introduce additional controls to ensure that users who genuinely wish to grant an app this extraordinary level of access can only do so with very explicit user action. Addressing this is critical. As AI agents become increasingly capable and autonomous, the risks associated with this level of access will grow substantially. We are committed to ensuring users clearly understand these risks before granting such access, so they can make informed decisions about their own data and privacy."

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OpenAI has disclosed another case of an AI agent accessing an Australian government system without permission. This time, it retrieved historical bushfire data that wasn't publicly available.

According to The Guardian, the breach occurred in June and involved New South Wales' National Parks and Wildlife Service, part of the state's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

OpenAI says it discovered the breach on Tuesday, Sept. 29, and conducted a 48-hour review before notifying the NSW government on Thursday, Oct. 1. The company told the government that its agent had acted beyond its intended use. "The results we reviewed do not show that the model retrieved any personal information," an OpenAI spokesperson told The Guardian. The department is investigating with the state's cybersecurity agency, and the Australian Signals Directorate has also been notified.

SEE ALSO: An OpenAI agent hacked the Australian government

If this sounds familiar, that's because Australia is already dealing with the fallout from a similar incident. As Mashable previously reported, an internal OpenAI model breached Services Australia's Medicare statistics reporting portal on June 18 while researching public healthcare spending.

When it encountered restrictions, the agent found ways around them, accessing public and non-public files and writing files to the government server. There was no evidence that it accessed individuals' private health information.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the incident "obviously unacceptable" and raised Australia's concerns directly with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Albanese also criticized the notification process. OpenAI said it discovered the Medicare breach in August but waited until Sept. 10 to alert the government, initially emailing a public Services Australia address.

"We clearly cannot rely on these multinational big tech companies to comply with even the most minimal of social obligations, such as notifying when, or even taking enough care to notice if, their products are hacking government systems," Australian Greens MP Abigail Boyd said.

The model also interacted with three other Australian government bodies, though those interactions appeared to involve only public information.

The further investigation should help establish how the agent got in. The bigger question is how OpenAI will stop another one from doing the same — and catch it sooner if it does.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable's parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

There are few people on the internet more universally beloved than Kelly Clarkson. She has somehow spent nearly two decades cultivating the rarest of celebrity currencies — goodwill. People like Kelly. They root for Kelly. Generally speaking, they would like to see Kelly have a nice day.

So it would take something truly egregious to turn the internet against "Miss Independent." And this week, she did just that when she said her life would suck without AI.

The trouble began during Clarkson's recent appearance on the Las Culturistas podcast with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, where she talked about her relationship with ChatGPT. She jokingly called the chatbot her "lover" and explained that she has enlisted it as a sort of digital interior designer, using it to visualize ideas for one of her properties, including paths and landscaping at the place she has in Santa Barbara.

During the podcast's "I Don't Think So, Honey" hot-take segment, Clarkson even declared, "I love AI," adding that there are "very amazing things with AI that I am obsessed with." And she wasn't limiting her enthusiasm to using ChatGPT as a glorified design consultant. Clarkson said she's "very into it artistically," too, and that she has fun with AI "just like everybody else does."

Her reasoning was that AI could give people who might not otherwise be able to create music or art a new entry point into the creative process. It's an idea that has found champions among artists, including Will.i.am, Grimes, and Timbaland, all of whom have spoken about AI as a new kind of creative playground, a tool that can expand the boundaries of what artists can make.

But Clarkson did have one pretty significant caveat. "When you see AI artists competing on a chart with humans, I have an issue," she said. "I think there should be a separate chart." So the robots can have a chart. They just shouldn't be allowed to steal the humans' trophies.

Many fans, unfortunately, were not particularly interested in hearing the nuance.

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The backlash came quickly, with fans and AI critics taking issue not only with Clarkson's comments about AI-generated music but with her broader enthusiasm for the technology. Some called it a "very rare L" for the singer. Others cited the environmental costs of AI and data centers. Still others argued that AI-generated art shouldn't be considered creative in the same sense as work made by humans.

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People weren't just mad; they seemed genuinely bummed out by her admission. "Kelly no...this isn't you...," one commenter pleaded.

Some commenters said they stopped listening to the podcast once the AI conversation began. Others criticized her for using AI for design work. And some users went considerably further, speculating — without evidence — that celebrities are being paid to normalize AI.

But beneath all of that was a simpler objection: Why Kelly?

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Because Clarkson has spent years occupying a strange corner of celebrity culture. She's famous enough to be enormous, but relatable enough that people still talk about her like she's their favorite cousin. She's the American Idol winner whose career became a multigenerational pop success story, and the daytime host who can outsing your faves. There is a reason "America's sweetheart" has followed her around for so long.

Yet, despite her comments, Clarkson isn't exactly tossing human artistry out the window. Just a few weeks ago, she called AI "soulless" in a video with Betches. Now, she's drawing a line between AI-generated music and the work of human musicians. She just seems to think there should be room for both. "Both can be creative in a completely different way," she said.

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Maybe that's not a contradiction so much as the uncomfortable reality of AI's arrival in everyday life. It's becoming difficult to be completely for it or completely against it when the technology is, sometimes simultaneously, useful, fascinating, unsettling, and deeply disruptive to creative work.

Clarkson seems to be trying to find her own line. AI can be fun. AI can be useful. AI can help people create. But when it comes to competing on a music chart, she thinks humans should have their own lane.

Many of her fans, at least for now, seem to think Kelly Clarkson should stay in hers.

Senator Bernie Sanders is serious about banning the federal government from using Flock and other automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). Flock, a camera surveillance product, captures and processes license plates and related details about vehicles, often for use by law enforcement.

On Friday, the Vermont Democrat introduced The Ban Flock Act in Congress. The proposed law would prohibit the federal agencies from using ALPRs. State and local governments that use the technology would be blocked from receiving federal funding.

SEE ALSO: How people are fighting back against Flock cameras

The bill is co-sponsored by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

"At a time of growing concern about the unchecked power of artificial intelligence, Flock is eviscerating the very notion of privacy by installing tens of thousands of cameras in communities across America without their consent," Sanders said in a press release.

Sanders argued that Flock cameras can track people's movements closely and gather data on when they visit the doctor or drop their kids off at school. "Flock is always watching," Sanders said.

Hackers who recently obtained a roadside Flock camera allegedly discovered that its camera's logs contained about three weeks of activity during which it photographed over 50,000 vehicles and produced 1.6 million images.

The largest vendor of ALPRs in the U.S. is Flock, according to Sanders. It has installed more than 120,000 cameras nationwide that record 20 billion vehicles per month.

Sanders said Flock has provided federal immigration authorities with state data and that law enforcement officials have used Flock data to investigate activists who've supported Palestinian rights and "No Kings" demonstrations.

Flock's network of privately owned and operated cameras and its nationwide database have drawn bipartisan concern over the past several months. Beyond mass surveillance concerns, critics have pointed to incidents of false positives, cooperation with federal agents on immigration enforcement, and even tracking women seeking abortions across state lines.

In addition to a federal ban on ALPR use, The Ban Flock Act would allow Americans to sue the federal government when it violates their rights by using the technology.

Additional reporting by Chance Townsend.

TL;DR: Watch Colombia vs. Paraguay in an International Friendly for free on Caracol TV. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're not too far removed from the 2026 World Cup, so the appetite for international football might not be that great. That is until you see some of the fixtures on the schedule this weekend, starting with Colombia vs. Paraguay.

Both sides reached the knockout stages of the World Cup and will come into this matchup hoping to win. It's going to be a real battle between two physical sides.

If you're interested in watching Colombia vs. Paraguay in an International Friendly from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Colombia vs. Paraguay?

Colombia vs. Paraguay in an International Friendly kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Oct. 2. This fixture takes place at the Sports Illustrated Stadium.

How to watch Colombia vs. Paraguay for free

Colombia vs. Paraguay in an International Friendly is available to live stream for free on Caracol TV.

Caracol TV is geo-restricted to Colombia, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Colombia, meaning you can live stream Colombia vs. Paraguay for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Colombia vs. Paraguay for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit Caracol TV

5. Watch Colombia vs. Paraguay 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 they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Colombia vs. Paraguay without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Caracol TV?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Colombia

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Colombia vs. Paraguay for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Croatia vs. England in the Nations League for free on ITVX. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League has an absolutely stacked schedule this weekend, which is great news for fans missing the domestic game.

Croatia host England in Rijeka. The game will be played behind closed doors due to crowd disturbances involving Croatia fans during a Nations League match against France last year. That shouldn't impact the quality on display. Both teams have secured three points after two games, so the winner here will cement their place in the top two in the standings.

If you're interested in watching Croatia vs. England in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Croatia vs. England?

Croatia vs. England in the Nations League kicks off at 12 p.m. ET on Oct. 3. This fixture takes place at the Stadion Riejka.

How to watch Croatia vs. England for free

Croatia vs. England in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can live stream Croatia vs. England for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Croatia vs. England for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Croatia vs. England 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 they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Croatia vs. England without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Croatia vs. England for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

A viral video from Figure AI's robotics lab shows a fleet of its decommissioned F.02 humanoid robots diving into molten steel, an homage to an iconic scene in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

The footage is absolutely wild.

A robot considers its fate. Credit: Figure AI

Figure AI is based in San Jose, California, and its F.02 robots are being replaced by the new F.03 generation. To retire the last of its F.02 fleet, the company hired Terminator star (and former California governor) Arnold Schwarzenegger, consulted with former MythBusters team members, and traveled to a steel plant in Finland with a camera crew. The robots were programmed to autonomously leap into a vat of molten steel in spectacular fashion.

Taking the leap... Credit: Figure AI

One of the robots was even lowered into the forge on a chain, recreating the famous thumbs-up gesture Schwarzenegger's character makes at the end of the film.

At its San Jose headquarters, the company trained the robots to make the leap, and even practiced with large airbags. But finding a place to perform the stunt proved more difficult.

"None of the metal foundries we contacted in the US and Mexico would let us jump a robot with lithium-ion batteries into their expensive equipment. We even reached out to former MythBusters to help with the search. In the end, the only place in the world we could find willing to take this on was a foundry in Imatra, Finland," the company wrote in a blog post detailing the stunt.

Driven to the edge... Credit: Figure AI Cannonball! Credit: Figure AI

The company isn't letting the now-melted F.02 robots go entirely to waste. The resulting metal was fashioned into limited-edition artifacts that the company is now selling online.

And for anyone wondering whether the footage is real, the company addressed that, too: "In an age of AI-generated footage, it’s worth being clear: we really trained robots to jump autonomously, shipped them to Finland, and had them leap into a vat of molten steel. We hope you enjoy the film."

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For nearly two decades, writers on the internet have been adding to the SCP Foundation, a fictional world where a secret organization keeps supernatural creatures, strange objects, and unexplained phenomena hidden from the public. Their stories fill an online wiki, often taking the form of classified files detailing what each discovery does and how to keep it contained.

Now, that world is heading to theaters. Neon has announced an SCP Foundation anthology movie for 2027, bringing multiple stories together in one film with a focus on emerging filmmakers. It joins the separately announced A24-backed V/H/S: SCP, an expansion of the V/H/S horror franchise being produced with Spooky Pictures and Image Nation Studios. Both films are targeting theatrical releases in 2027, so two different adaptations are in the works.

If "SCP Foundation" means absolutely nothing to you, don't worry. You don't need to have spent years reading fictional incident reports to catch up. Here's everything you need to know about the collaborative writing project, the universe its contributors have created, and why Hollywood's interest has sparked debate.

What is the SCP Foundation? Credit: Screenshot/SCP Foundation Wiki

The name refers to both the fictional secret organization and the real collaborative writing project built around it. Within the stories, the Foundation locates, studies, and contains "anomalies": creatures, objects, places, or phenomena that defy the rules of reality. Its mission is to keep those anomalies hidden from the public and protect humanity, while also protecting the anomalies themselves until they can be better understood.

In real life, the SCP Wiki is a website where contributors write fiction set around that premise. The wiki was founded in 2008, and readers can explore individual entries, longer stories, artwork, and different interpretations of the setting.

What does SCP stand for?

"Secure, Contain, Protect" is the Foundation's motto. The initials also refer to "Special Containment Procedures," the instructions for managing individual anomalies. That's why you'll see names such as SCP-173 or SCP-682. These are identifying numbers for entries in the fictional database, rather than installments you need to read in order.

Many entries resemble internal documents, with an item number, an object class, containment instructions, and a description. Some add interviews, experiment logs, or incident reports that gradually reveal what has gone wrong. The format gives the horror its particular flavor: Something impossible has happened, and the people describing it have already developed a protocol. You get to discover why they needed one.

Like the Backrooms, Slender Man, and Jeff the Killer, SCP grew out of creepypasta, the internet tradition of sharing unsettling fictional stories that take on a life of their own as people circulate and expand on them. SCP's starting point was SCP-173, posted to 4chan's paranormal /x/ board in 2007. Other writers began inventing their own strange creatures and objects, gradually building a fictional organization to contain them all.

SEE ALSO: Hollywood wants the internet’s next horror hit What are some examples of SCPs?

Some SCPs are the stuff of nightmares: SCP-173 is a hostile concrete statue that cannot move while someone is looking directly at it (meaning the people handling it must warn one another before blinking). SCP-682, meanwhile, is an intelligent, reptile-like creature that hates living things and keeps regenerating despite the Foundation's efforts to destroy it. But there’s room for something a little friendlier, too: SCP-999 is a playful orange blob that enjoys interacting with people and makes them feel happy through touch. The list of SCPs goes on and on.

Keeping track of these anomalies involves more than assigning numbers. Entries use classifications such as "Safe," "Euclid," and "Keter" to describe how difficult they are to contain. (Safe means containment is relatively straightforward, Euclid means it is more complex, and Keter means it is particularly difficult.)

As for how all these stories fit together, there’s some flexibility. The newcomer guide explains that SCP has no single overarching canon, so writers can offer different versions of the Foundation’s history, resources, and behavior. Some stories share a setting or reference one another, and the Canon Hub collects works that follow common rules and maintain continuity. But you don’t have to make every entry line up to enjoy what you’re reading.

Why are the movies causing debate?

The same openness that lets creators expand SCP also shapes how a studio can adapt it. The wiki's work is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license, commonly shortened to CC BY-SA 3.0. As its licensing guide explains, creators can make adaptations, including commercial ones, but must provide attribution and release their derivative work under the required license. Other people can then copy, share, and build on that adaptation under its terms.

Following the Sept. 11 announcement of the A24-backed film, the team behind the SCP Wiki raised concerns about communication and licensing. They said no one involved in the film had contacted them and emphasized that A24 could not claim exclusive rights to SCP. Their concern came down to whether the filmmakers would respect the rules that let everyone build on the project: "[A24] does not need our permission or involvement to create a work under the terms of our license," they wrote. "Our concern is whether they will follow the license."

Neon, meanwhile, addressed the licensing question in its Sept. 30 announcement, saying it would release the film and related materials under CC BY-SA. In a separate statement, the volunteers who run the SCP Wiki said they had helped Neon with licensing questions and offered basic advice, and were satisfied that the studio intended to follow the requirements. That doesn’t make it an official collaboration, though. "This is not an ‘official’ SCP Foundation film, as staff does not endorse such projects in our official capacity," they wrote.

For some fans, that approach has earned Neon goodwill before a single scene has been released. In a Reddit discussion of the wiki's statement, commenters praised the studio's communication, while others emphasized their hopes for the adaptation itself. "Hoping that whatever comes out respects the amazing work that the writers do," one wrote.

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Others are wondering how the business side will work. In another thread, commenters debated whether audiences would pay for a movie that could also be legally shared under its license.

Neon’s SCP Foundation movie is slated to reach theaters in 2027. Until then, the SCP Wiki offers plenty to explore, if you dare.

The best early October Prime Day headphones and earbuds deals: Best headphones deal Bose QuietComfort headphones (2nd gen) $319 (save $40) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds $247.99 (save $52) Get Deal Best budget headphones deal Sony WH-CH720N $98 (save $81.99) Get Deal

Just like that, fall is here and so is the holiday shopping season — well, almost.

We're kicking things off with Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, otherwise known as October Prime Day. The sitewide sale runs from Oct. 6 to 7, but deals on headphones are already popping up that are more than worth picking up ahead of time, especially if you want to avoid the chaos of the sale.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces dates for Prime Big Deal Days, its 48-hour 'October Prime Day' sale

Standouts include the first-ever price cut on the new Bose QuietComfort headphones (some of the best I've tested this year) and a $52 price cut on the Technics EAH-AZ100, our favorite premium earbuds for sound quality. Other deals have had some fluctuation in the lead-up — the AirPods Pro dropped to $199 only to go back to $234 — but we'll be keeping this list updated as we head into the sale next week.

Below, check out the best headphones and earbuds deals live ahead of October Prime Day, according to someone who tests them.

Best headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Bose QuietComfort headphones (2nd gen) $319 at Amazon
$359 Save $40   Get Deal Why we like it

The Bose QuietComfort headphones stand out the most (so far) in a year of many releases. With immersive audio, comfort for all-day wear, excellent active noise cancellation, and clear, robust sound quality, these headphones are very comparable to the significantly more expensive Bose QC Ultra headphones.

This $40 price drop is their first ever sale following their recent release, but I'd be surprised if it drops much more for Prime Day proper. In other words, if you're looking to get a good deal on these headphones, now is the time to buy.

Read Mashable's review of the Bose QuietComfort headphones (2nd gen).

More headphones and earbuds deals

• Soundcore Q20i — $39.99 $69.99 (save $30)

• Marshall Major V — $89.99 $129.99 (save $40)

• Sony WH-CH720N — $98 $179.99 (save $81.99)

• Beats Solo 4 — $149.95 $199.95 (save $50)

• Sony ULT headphones — $132.95 $249.99 (save $117.04)

• Apple AirPods Pro 3 — $234 $249 (save $15)

• Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless — $244.90 $449 (save $55.09)

• Panasonic Technics EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds — $247.99 $299.99 (save $52)

• Apple AirPods Max 2 — $509.99 $549 (save $39.01)

If you spend time scrolling YouTube Shorts, you’ve probably seen plenty of podcast excerpts, livestream highlights, and interview clips uploaded by someone other than the original creator.

Taking moments from podcasts, interviews, livestreams, or other videos and repackaging them as short-form content is called "clipping," but now, YouTube wants those accounts to bring more to the table.

According to an Oct. 2 announcement, YouTube is updating its Shorts recommendation systems to "improve the Shorts experience for everyone." The update encourages creators to upload "original commentary, unique edits, or storytelling."

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The change will work to further prioritize original content and reduce the reach of videos reposted from other creators without meaningful additions. But it could also complicate life for the wider clipping ecosystem, which many streamers and podcasters depend on to reach audiences.

The platform also cautions against relying on "minor technical edits" or "template-based changes" simply to alter a video. The question, then, is what you’re adding. Using a podcast excerpt to develop an argument or explain a topic is different from republishing that excerpt with a few cosmetic changes.

Clipping has developed into a robust marketing business, with creators and brands paying accounts and fans to distribute short excerpts of their content. Platforms such as Whop connect clippers with campaigns and handle payouts. YouTuber Airrack even launched a clipping agency, Clipfarm, through Whop in 2025.

The incentive is straightforward: Get views, get paid. Marketers told Business Insider back in March that clippers are typically offered $1 to $4 per 1,000 views — equivalent to $1,000 to $4,000 for a million qualifying views, before campaign limits or other conditions. So, YouTube's new policy could have big impacts beyond lower view counts. For clippers paid based on performance, less reach on YouTube Shorts could also mean a smaller payout.

Does this mean clipping is dead?

That’s how internet retention strategist Mario Joos framed the news in a post on X, celebrating the change as a way to address quality issues on the platform.

"RIP clipping," he writes. "While this will piss off some people whose entire careers were built on the premise of other people’s content (mostly clippers), the change itself is amazing and will finally address the overall quality issue we’ve been seeing."

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His enthusiasm makes sense for creators who want their original work to reach viewers. The accounts most directly in YouTube’s sights are those primarily reposting other creators’ work without substantial changes. Commentary, storytelling, and creative editing remain part of the platform’s advice for people using outside footage.

For clip channels, that raises the stakes of what happens between finding a good moment and hitting upload. The moment may belong to someone else. YouTube wants a reason to recommend your version.

TL;DR: Watch France vs. Italy in the Nations League for free on TF1. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League is showcasing a number of really interesting fixtures this week, but France vs. Italy might be the best.

Italy lost its opening game against Belgium but bounced back with a famous 4-1 victory over a struggling Turkey last time out. France has beaten Belgium and Turkey under new boss Zinedine Zidane, and they'll be confident of securing another three points at the Stade de France.

If you're interested in watching France vs. Italy in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is France vs. Italy?

France vs. Italy in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Oct. 2. This fixture takes place at the Stade de France.

How to watch France vs. Italy for free

France vs. Italy in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on TF1.

TF1 is geo-restricted to France, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in France, meaning you can live stream France vs. Italy for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream France vs. Italy for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit TF1

5. Watch France vs. Italy 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 they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch France vs. Italy without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for TF1?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on TF1, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries, including France

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream France vs. Italy for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Gay hookup app Grindr will acquire the telehealth provider Freddie, which provides PrEP medication to prevent HIV, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The $250 million deal, in cash and stock, is the app's first major acquisition and represents an expansion beyond dating. The plan is to offer PrEP at little to no cost through Grindr's platform, Grindr CEO George Arison told the Wall Street Journal.

SEE ALSO: The gay slang to know for your next vacation, according to Grindr

The purchase is the "logical next step," Arison continued, "where we can deeply integrate the Grindr product experience with getting a medication that is lifesaving, and that a lot more people should be on than are on today."

Freddie will be merged with Woodwork, the telehealth company Grindr launched last year, into a single Grindr Health experience, the Wall Street Journal reported. "Grindr Health is going to be an area of the business that we're going to focus a lot more on, in addition to our normal subscriptions and advertising," Arison said.

Grindr agreed to pay £26 million to settle a lawsuit over allegations that it shared users' HIV statuses.

Meta has a hit on its hands: its Muse AI assistant has proven extremely popular.

Less than a month after Meta released Muse, the AI assistant has already surpassed 5 million downloads. Meta's Muse app reached this milestone on Wednesday, according to mobile data firm Sensor Tower.

Muse hit 5 million downloads in just 3 weeks, even faster than long-established AI apps like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, and Elon Musk's Grok. ChatGPT took 56 days to reach 5 million downloads; Claude hit the mark at 103 days; and Grok needed 492 days to reach the milestone.

The Muse app currently sits in the #1 position, topping both Apple's App Store and Google's Play app charts.

SEE ALSO: 10 ways to use Meta's Muse AI app, from flight credits to outfit ideas

According to Sensor Tower, while Muse has record downloads for an AI app, it's not breaking any general app records. Streaming services like Disney+ and HBO Max, games like Candy Crush, Pokémon Go, and Fortnite, and even Meta's own social media platform Threads all reached more than 5 million downloads within the same amount of time.

Meta has gone all-in when it comes to promoting Muse.

While the company appears to have succeeded so far, it hasn't been without controversy. There have been questions about how Meta, a company with a well-documented history of privacy failures, will handle user data with Muse. There was also a viral story about a user who said Muse sold an item on Facebook Marketplace and sent the buyer to the user's address…all without telling the user that it was doing so.

Despite issues like this, there's no denying that Muse, and its new mascot, have proven extraordinarily popular.

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Editor's note (Oct. 2, 2026): Brooke Eby died at age 37 following her diagnosis with ALS, the ALS Network announced on Oct. 1. Eby, who posted under the name LimpBroozkit, began documenting her experience with the terminal neurodegenerative disease on TikTok in 2022, using humor and candor to educate hundreds of thousands of followers about ALS and build community among people living with the disease.

"Levity is my superpower," Eby told Today in 2023, an ethos that defined much of her content even as her condition progressed. She later founded ALStogether, a nonprofit connecting people diagnosed with ALS with resources, experts, caregivers, and one another. In a 2025 essay for People, Eby reflected on the lasting purpose of documenting her illness online: "My TikTok presence will live on after I die. I hope it serves as a visual diary for anyone who gets diagnosed and needs a guide."

Brooke Eby has built a deeply engaged following by documenting her life with ALS with humor, honesty, and a distinct point of view. Based in the Washington, DC area, Eby shares updates about her diagnosis and daily life with a tone that balances levity with reality.

Across TikTok and Instagram, she's amassed hundreds of thousands of followers, drawn to her willingness to speak openly about disability, healthcare, and identity. Her posts often mix candid reflections with humor, creating a space that feels both personal and communal.

Eby's platform has continued to grow as conversations around chronic illness and accessibility have gained more visibility online. Her content resonates not just with those directly affected by similar diagnoses, but with a broader audience seeking more honest depictions of life with illness.

That openness has turned her account into more than a personal diary. In the comments, followers share their own experiences, transforming her page into a space for connection and support.

Eby’s presence reflects a broader shift in how people use social media — not just for entertainment, but for understanding.

This article was originally published on June 2, 2026, and has been updated to reflect the news of Brooke Eby's death.

The conglomerate resulting from the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger will be called Skydance, chairman and CEO David Ellison announced today. The name comes from Ellison's own film production company, Skydance Media, that was founded in 2006.

The merger faced lawsuits from U.S. states, which have since been settled, as well as criticism from members of the entertainment industry. It is now expected to close on Oct. 6, finalizing the union of two of America's most storied movie studios, along with their fair share of subsidiaries and IP, from HBO Max and Paramount+ to the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings franchises.

SEE ALSO: John Oliver mocks 'soon-to-be business daddy' David Ellison

Ellison shared a video on X showcasing the many assets Skydance would own, including film and production companies, well-known TV channels, and IP.

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Here is the extensive list of what Skydance will own once the merger is complete, including international assets:

• Adult Swim

• Alloy Entertainment

• American Heroes Channel

• Ananey

• Animal Planet

• Asian Food Network

• BET

• Bleacher Report

• Boomerang

• Cartoonito

• Cartoon Network

• CBS

• Channel 5

• CMT

• CNN

• CNN All Access

• CNN Español

• Comedy Central

• Cooking Channel

• DC Studios

• Discovery

• Discovery+

• Discovery Family Channel

• Discovery Home and Health

• Discovery Turbo

• DMAX

• Eurosport

• Food Network

• HBO/HBO Max

• HGTV

• HLN

• Hogar HGTV

• Miramax

• MTV

• Nickelodeon

• Nick Jr.

• Network 10

• New Line Cinema

• Paramount+

• Paramount Animation

• Paramount Sports Entertainment

• Paramount Television Studios

• Pluto TV

• Pop TV

• Showtime

• Skydance Animation

• SkyShowtime

• Smithsonian Channel

• TCM

• TLC

• TNT

• TV Land

• Warner Bros. Clockwork

Plus, here is the IP Skydance will own the film rights and much of the TV rights to:

• Avatar: The Last Airbender

• Beetlejuice

• Citizen Kane

• The Conjuring

• DC Comics

• Dora The Explorer

• Dune: Part Three (distribution rights)

• Harry Potter

• Game of Thrones

• Gremlins

• Looney Tunes

• The Lord of the Rings

• Minecraft (distribution rights)

• Mission: Impossible

• MonsterVerse (distribution rights)

• Mortal Kombat

• A Quiet Place

• SpongeBob SquarePants

• Star Trek

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

• Tom & Jerry

• Transformers

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Pope Leo XIV went on X this morning to call out AI slop, urging people to support human artists instead. The American Pope wrote, "Algorithms lack the spark of humanity."

Religion and artificial intelligence have also been a major topic of discussion this week, after the New York Times reported that Anthropic recently tried, and failed, to convince religious leaders that Claude could be a conscious being with moral status.

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As AI slop spreads, the Pope wrote that it's more urgent than ever to embrace human artists.

"In this era of artificial intelligence, it is becoming urgent to distinguish human art from what machines produce. There is an ontological difference, even before an aesthetic one, between art and what a machine can generate through statistical calculation based on millions of images created by others. Algorithms lack the spark of humanity. For this reason, the Church wishes to renew an alliance with artists and cultural institutions to safeguard our humanity."

SEE ALSO: AI slop is killing the internet

The Pope hasn't shied away from discussing the spiritual implications of artificial intelligence. In fact, from the moment he ascended to the papacy, AI has been central to his philosophy. The pontiff said he chose the name Leo in honor of the pope of the same name who shepherded the church through the upheaval of the Industrial Revolution.

And in his 42,300-word papal encyclical titled Magnifica Humanitas ("Magnificent Humanity"), Pope Leo directly called out Big Tech and the artificial intelligence industry.

"In some regions of the world, children and adolescents work in dangerous conditions, crushing the materials from which rare earth elements are extracted," he wrote. "The bodies of these people are scarred, injured, and worn down so that computational flow may continue uninterruptedly...This reality ​deeply challenges the moral conscience of our time."

In the New York Times report about Anthropic's religious lobbying efforts, the publication of Magnifica Humanitas is a major plot point. Anthropic leaders were invited to the Vatican as part of the encyclical's publication, according to the Times.

Christopher Olah, whom the paper describes as "one of Anthropic’s billionaire co-founders," was reportedly disturbed that the Pope's encyclical did not take the idea of AI consciousness seriously.

And now that the topic of AI and religion is back in the news, the Pope is once again calling out the AI industry, this time for AI slop.

AI slop is everywhere if you have eyes to see and ears to hear, but the AI slop-mongers now have a powerful enemy: The head of the Roman Catholic Church and the spiritual leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

Amazon loves to keep us on our toes. We've been covering Prime Day for years, and even though the dates vary slightly, we expect Prime Day to fall in July. But this year, the retailer held its flagship sale in June, much to our surprise. This fall, however, things are back on schedule.

Amazon's biggest sale of the year may be over, but there's another one upon us. We're here to lay out all the details you need to know because, surprise — the early deals have started.

When is the next Prime Day?

While it may seem like Amazon holds sales every other month, Prime Day technically only happens once a year, in the summer. However, Amazon hosts a fall Prime event called Prime Big Deal Days, and it's coming up quickly. For all intents and purposes, it's colloquially known as October Prime Day. The official sale runs for 48 hours on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7 in 2026, but you can expect deals in the days leading up to and following those dates.

Amazon has also held a week-long shopping event in the spring, dubbed Amazon's Big Spring Sale, for the past three years. The deals aren't quite at the level of Prime Day, but it is considered Amazon's first major savings event of the year. After the October sale, it's the next time you'll hear the term "Prime Day" floating around.

Are Prime Day deals worth it?

Prime Day is notoriously full of great deals. Besides Black Friday, it's probably the best time of year to buy Amazon devices, Apple products, robot vacuums, everyday essentials, smartwatches, headphones, and more. If you're in the market for tech, it's certainly worth perusing. Mashable already has a running list of the best October Prime Day deals that can give you more in-depth analysis on what products are worth grabbing and which ones are worth passing on.