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Mashable is a leading source for news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Mashable reports on the importance of digital innovation and how it empowers and inspires people around the world. Mashable's 25 million monthly unique visitors and 10 million social media followers have become one of the most engaged online news communities. Founded in 2005, Mashable is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.
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How to watch India vs. South Africa in the 2026 T20 World Cup online for free

Sun, 02/22/2026 - 12:00

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

The 2026 T20 World Cup group stage is done and dusted. Now there are only eight teams still vying for the prize.

The Super 8 stage is organized into two groups of four teams. Weirdly, all the unbeaten teams have been placed in Group A. The first game from this group is India vs. South Africa. For a lot of fans, this could be a warm up for the final. These sides both look incredibly strong, so this contest will likely be decided by small margins. Whichever way it goes, it's going to be entertaining to see the best of the best battle it out.

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

When is India vs. South Africa?

India vs. South Africa in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 22. This game takes place at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

How to watch India vs. South Africa for free

India vs. South Africa 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 India vs. South Africa 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 2026 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Canada vs. USA in mens ice hockey final online for free

Sun, 02/22/2026 - 12:00

TL;DR: Live stream Canada vs. USA in the men's ice hockey final for free on CBC Gem. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The international ice hockey has been incredible to watch over the last few weeks, and it all ends here.

Canada face off against USA for the gold medals — it's the final that neutral hockey fans all over the world wanted to see most. It's one of the biggest rivalries in sport, littered with star names like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. It's going to be epic, and you can watch all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch Canada vs. USA in the men's ice hockey final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Canada vs. USA?

Canada vs. USA in the men's ice hockey final takes place at 8:10 a.m. ET on Feb. 22. This fixture takes place at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

How to watch Canada vs. USA for free

Canada vs. USA in the men's ice hockey final is available to live stream for free on CBC Gem.

CBC Gem is geo-restricted to Canada, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Canada, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 winter sports ice hockey from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Canada vs. USA in men's ice hockey 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 Canada

  4. Visit CBC Gem

  5. Watch Canada vs. USA 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 the ice hockey before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for CBC Gem?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including Canada

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to 10 simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Canada vs. USA in the men's ice hockey final for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hurdle hints and answers for February 22, 2026

Sun, 02/22/2026 - 07:00

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

Speed.

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

TEMPO

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Top.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 22, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

UPPER

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Kind.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 22, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SWEET

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To be.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

EXIST

Final Hurdle hint

On the edge.

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

VERGE

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

Moon phase today: What the Moon will look like on February 22

Sun, 02/22/2026 - 07:00

The Moon is a quarter of the way back to us now, meaning there is more than enough of its surface lit up that we can enjoy some Moon gazing. So, what can you see when you look up tonight?

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Sunday, Feb. 22, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 26% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

There's plenty to see on the Moon's surface tonight, but some Mares and craters stand out. With just your naked eye, you should be able to make out the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis. If you add binoculars you'll also be able to see the Endymion Crater. And with a telescope, enjoy a glimpse of the Apollo 17 landing spot.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on March 3. The last Full Moon was on Feb. 1.

What are Moon phases?

NASA tells us that the Moon completes a full orbit around Earth in roughly 29.5 days. During this cycle, it passes through eight distinct phases. Although we consistently see the same side of the Moon, the portion illuminated by the Sun shifts as it travels along its orbit. The changing angle of sunlight reflecting off the Moon’s surface is what makes it appear full, partially lit, or nearly dark at different times. The eight phases include:

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.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to watch Sri Lanka vs. England in the 2026 T20 World Cup online for free

Sun, 02/22/2026 - 07:00

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

The 2026 T20 World Cup has moved onto the Super 8 stage. England and Sri Lanka both qualified for this stage after coming second in their respective groups. England lost out to the West Indies. Sri Lanka came second behind Zimbabwe. In fact, every team in Group B of the Super 8 stage placed second in their group. How does that work? That's a question for the ICC.

All that matters now are the next batch of fixtures. Only the top two teams from each group will move into the semi finals, so every game at this point is absolutely vital. We're expecting a close contest when Sri Lanka meet England at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

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

When is Sri Lanka vs. England?

Sri Lanka vs. England in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 4:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 22. This game takes place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

How to watch Sri Lanka vs. England for free

Sri Lanka vs. England in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Sri Lanka vs. England 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 2026 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Pips hints, answers for February 22, 2026

Sun, 02/22/2026 - 05:00

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 22, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for February 22, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 22 Pips

Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 3-5, placed vertically.

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 22 Pips

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-2, placed vertically; 3-5, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 5-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (22): Everything in this space must add up to 22. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 22 Pips

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 5-0, placed vertically.

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 5-6, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.

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

Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 1-3, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally.

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

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally.

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 22, 2026

Sun, 02/22/2026 - 05:00

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who know the big fella.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Yellow: Hosts

  • Green: Olympian hockey players

  • Blue: Olympic winner

  • Purple: Sport lines

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Future Olympic Hosts

  • Green: U.S Women's Hockey Players

  • Blue: Part of an Olympic Medal Ceremony

  • Purple: ___Line

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #517 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?
  • Future Olympic Hosts - BRISBANE, FRENCH ALPS, LOS ANGELES, UTAH

  • U.S Women's Hockey Players - CARPENTER, KELLER, KNIGHT, WINN

  • Part of an Olympic Medal Ceremony - ANTHEM, MEDAL, PODIUM, STUFFED ANIMAL

  • ___Line - BLUE, FALL, FINISH, HOG

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

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

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 22, 2026

Sun, 02/22/2026 - 05:00

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're well-versed in American history.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 22, 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: Outlier

  • Green: Sign of aging

  • Blue: Iconic reads

  • Purple: 26th president

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: One who doesn't fit in

  • Green: Descriptors for graying hair

  • Blue: Classic comic strips

  • Purple: Associated with Theodore Roosevelt

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 #987 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • One who doesn't fit in: BLACK SHEEP, MISFIT, OUTCAST, REJECT

  • Descriptors for graying hair: DISTINGUISHED, FLECKED, SALT-AND-PEPPER, SILVER

  • Classic comic strips: BLONDIE, BLOOM COUNTY, PEANUTS, THE FAR SIDE

  • Associated with Theodore Roosevelt: BIG STICK, BULL MOOSE, ROUGH RIDERS, TEDDY BEAR

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 22, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

Categories: IT General, Technology

NYT Strands hints, answers for February 22, 2026

Sun, 02/22/2026 - 05:00

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you've been watching The Games.

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 22, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 22, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Olympics wrap-up

The words are related to sports.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a sports event.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Closing Ceremony.

NYT Strands word list for February 22
  • Flame

  • Parade

  • Flag

  • Closing Ceremony

  • Athlete

  • Medal

  • Anthem

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 the latest Strands.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 22, 2026

Sun, 02/22/2026 - 05:00

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love a healthy snack.

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 22, 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 22, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A tropical fruit.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter A appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

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...

GUAVA

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 the latest Wordle.

Categories: IT General, Technology

AdGuard Family Plan: 1 price, 9 devices, endless protection for $16

Sun, 02/22/2026 - 01:00

TL;DR: Protect your family’s devices, block ads, and secure your online activity with AdGuard Family Plan — only $15.97 through Feb. 22.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard AdGuard Family Plan: Lifetime Subscription $15.97
$169.99 Save $154.02   Get Deal

Browsing the web should be smooth, but distractions and risks pile up fast — annoying pop-ups, autoplay videos, tracking scripts, and hidden malware can make your online time stressful. The AdGuard Family Plan provides a one-time fix: remove the clutter, safeguard your privacy, and give every device in your home a safer, cleaner internet experience for life.

What makes this deal stand out? You’ll pay just $15.97 once, and you’re covered for a lifetime across nine devices. That’s phones, tablets, laptops — whatever your household uses, AdGuard works across platforms and syncs quietly in the background to make everything run smoother.

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But this isn’t just another ad blocker. AdGuard uses enterprise-grade filtering tools to remove everything from flashy banner ads to hidden video pre-rolls. It also offers advanced privacy protection, shielding your browsing activity from data collectors and trackers that follow you around the web. The result is faster load times, more peace of mind, and less junk cluttering your screen.

Parents will appreciate the built-in parental controls, which let you restrict access to inappropriate content without relying on complicated router settings or third-party software. It’s an easy, one-click setup that adds a layer of digital safety you don’t have to think twice about.

And for users who care about security (without diving deep into VPNs or overly technical setups), AdGuard provides malware and phishing protection by filtering out shady links and sites before they load.

Everything runs through a clean, intuitive interface, with frequent updates included in your one-time purchase. You’ll get the same quality protection and features as any premium ad-blocking app, minus the monthly bill.

This is one of the rare tools that quietly improves your online experience every day. Get lifetime access to AdGuard’s Family Plan for the one-time price of $15.97 (reg. $169.99) through Feb. 22.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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