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Rivals is back, in all its steamy, bonkbusting glory, and it just pulled off one of the classics of comedy: the seemingly one-take farce.

The late Dame Jilly Cooper's beloved and saucy '80s Rutshire Chronicles novels made for one of the very best British TV shows of 2024, adapted by Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade. In Season 2, the shoulder-padded, aristocratic residents of the Cotswolds are still finding themselves in various entanglements, including a scene that makes a Pink Panther-worthy marvel out of closed doors and near misses.

Though the scene was filmed in a single take, there's a few visible cuts from editor Vicky Tooms for dramatic effect. However, it presents as one chaotic evening in real time.

One-shot takes are becoming more ambitious on TV, with the likes of Adolescence's Philip Barantini, The Haunting of Hill House's Mike Flanagan, and The Bear's Christopher Storer setting that bar sky-high with one-take marvels within kitchens and funeral parlours and even across suburbs. But using a version of the format for a comical farce in the middle of a raunchy '80s comedy? Brilliant.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creator today.

In Rivals Season 2, episode 2, TV presenter Sarah Stratton (Emily Atack) and her Tory MP husband Paul (Rufus Jones) are throwing a dinner party for political reasons, inviting the bigwigs of the Corinium TV station, where Sarah works. Paul is losing local election campaign coverage to his political rival, the dashing Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell). So, he springs a fully hosted event on Sarah, who frankly prefers microwaving entire dinners and has enough on her plate, thank you very much.

SEE ALSO: The 15 best British TV shows of 2025 and where to stream them

Alas, it's on. An '80s dinner party with all the trimmings, secretly cooked in the kitchen by chef Taggie O'Hara (Bella Maclean). It's a meticulously choreographed, precisely timed affair of bitchy comments overheard, trysts revealed, withheld farts unleashed, and forbidden lovers thrust into close quarters. The 10-minute scene, directed by Elliot Hegarty and shot by director of photography John Lynch and series camera operator Justin Hawkins, is a whirlwind of characters popping in and out of the pantry, cupboards, a stairwell, and the kitchen vestibule.

A few details you'll need to know:

• Paul and their guests from Corinium can't know Taggie, not Sarah, cooked the meal — in fact, Taggie can't be seen at all. Why? Taggie is aligned with Corinium's rival TV production company Venturer, which is headed by her father Declan (Aidan Turner), businessman Freddie Jones (Danny Dyer), and Rupert Campbell-Black, the man Taggie is in love with but cannot have.

• Taggie has to make Paul's favourite beef daube from The White Elephant in Painswick and ruins it with too much salt. Rupert has a fix but he'll have to deliver it undetected and hide the evidence.

• Sarah is pregnant, with extramarital affairs complicating the possibilities of paternity — it could be her husband Paul's child, or it could belong to Corinium managing director Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant), or Rupert, or perhaps TV presenter James Vereker (Oliver Chris), all of whom are in attendance at the dinner party.

Featured Video For You Taskmasters (Little) Alex Horne and Greg Davies reveal which iconic tasks they would never do

"It was done in one take. We blocked out a couple of weeks to film it, but we did it in a day and a half — not showing off," Atack told a Rivals screening audience in London.

"Shout out to Justin [Hawkins] and John Lynch and everyone involved in that scene. It literally took a village to do that. And even though it was my character's dinner party scene, I was held up by absolutely every single amazing cast member. It was a really surreal moment in my life. I've never done a scene like that, ever...Adrenaline's so high, everyone's just feeding off each other's energies.

"You cannot put a foot wrong, though — then it all crumbles down."

Hawkins and Lynch essentially stay on Atack or Maclean for the entire scene, as Sarah welcomes and gets rid of characters from her kitchen, tends her guests' drink needs, and delivers trays of Taggie-made trout mousse to her guests. Meanwhile, Taggie spends the scene covering up both her botched beef daube and her unexpected Rupert-shaped guest, finding herself constantly in steamily close quarters with him.

Various characters including Lizzie Vereker (Katherine Parkinson), Lady Monica Baddingham (Claire Rushbrook), and Charles Fairburn (Gary Lamont) pop into the kitchen to grab more champers, or, like James Vereker and Tony Baddingham, covertly freak out about paternity.

It's a triumph of production, with a notably superb performance from Atack, and it's one of the best scenes of TV I've seen all year.

Rivals is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

Are you ready to get rattled? YouTuber turned feature filmmaker Curry Barker will get under your skin with Obsession, a gnarly horror movie that tackles the male loneliness epidemic with some rom-com awareness. 

SEE ALSO: The best horror movies of 2025, and where to watch them

After getting buzz following its world premiere at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, this indie offering got acquired by Focus Features, distributors of Nosferatu, for a whopping $14 million. Now Hollywood is watching to see if Barker's bold movie will be worth this big investment. But be warned, horror fans: Obsession is hard to stomach. 

Obsession centers on a dangerous incel who thinks he's a nice guy.  Inde Navarrette stars as Nikki and Michael Johnston as Bear in "Obsession." Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

Written and directed by Barker, Obsession begins where most romantic comedies usually climax — — with the male lead confessing his deep love for the female lead. 

However, Bear (Michael Johnston) is not a rom-com hero. He's not funny, charming, dashing, or even all that interesting. When he's not working at a music store with his few friends, he's moping around the house he's inherited from his grandmother and never really made his own. Surrounded by frilly old baubles, he can't even keep his cat alive, as she kills herself by somehow getting into the late grandmother's meds. 

Moreover, he's not confessing his feelings to his crush but practicing his monologue to some waitress, because any woman's opinion of his love declaration will do, right? Simply put, Bear is a loser with no idea how to talk to women. Even though he has nothing going for him, he thinks he has a shot with Nikki (Inde Navarrette), a snarky, spirited aspiring writer whom he's been obsessing over for years. However, rather than even trying to ask her out, this creepy coward turns to a novelty toy for help. The box promises snapping the "One Wish Willow" will give him whatever he wants. But asking for Nikki to love him "more than anyone else" will have consequences. 

SEE ALSO: I'm a straight guy who never dated. Here's what I've learned.

Immediately, the cool, smirking girl we met at bar trivia a scene before is a frenzy of emotions. She smiles and mopes and screams, only to occasionally look deeply confused and then horrified. But whatever this Nikki is, she is fixated on Bear. Imagine — it's not what he had in mind. 

Obsession plays with gendered tropes. 

The "nice guy" is a cultural concept that plays into the misogynistic idea that women only want "bad boys," leaving good men to be left lonely. The truth is that the term "nice guy" can be a flimsy façade for men who feel entitled to the women they desire, even if they have nothing to offer. (Cue Siobhan Thompson's epic monologue from Dimension 20: Fantasy High!) 

These kinds of men are not nice, as they only give their female crushes something because they expect sex or love in return. They can't conceive of a woman as a person who has her own desires. And this is the horror at the center of Obsession. 

Bear might see himself as the romantic hero of his story, but from flubbing the heartfelt monologue (which is all about what Nikki's done for him) out the gate, he is set up as an anti-hero. He uses the "One Wish Willow" like Rohypnol, slipping it into action at the end of a night out that wasn't ending with the girl he wants in his arms. What didn't occur to him in his reckless wishing is that by demanding such a major change in Nikki's personality, he would change Nikki into someone he doesn't recognize. 

Nikki becomes the "crazy girlfriend," often alienated and maligned in hushed tones. No sooner has Nikki started dating Bear than their circle of friends begins to gossip about her, accusing her of deception and leaving her out of hangouts. Barker's script pushes the concept of the crazy girlfriend to harrowing extremes. Beyond her ferociously mercurial moods, Nikki also lurks in shadows, hisses strange things at night, and moves with bizarre physicality as if she's made of nightmares. And yet as freaked out as he is, none of this stops Bear from having sex with her. The camera frames this like a rape scene, with a wide shot that has him thrusting away, his face unseen, while hers is blank, staring off and unengaged. 

Obsession taps into the horror of dehumanizing women, but also relishes in gendered violence.  Inde Navarrette stars as Nikki in "Obsession." Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

Props to Navarrette, who makes this cursed rape victim into a riveting terror. One moment she's sulking so intensely it's almost funny, pulling her frown past Florence Pugh levels. The next, she's intensely unfurling a twisted fairy tale that leaves her audience — onscreen and off — in a disturbed silence. Then, she's dancing while covered in blood, or screaming so hard your throat may ache in sympathy. 

Cinematographer Taylor Clemons frequently keeps Navarrette's face out of frame, either cropped out or covered by hair or shadow. This seems to reflect how Bear can't bear to look at her, because she is familiar yet strange. Yet this barrier to her performance is transcended by Navarrette's precise physicality. 

Once she's been wished upon, Nikki's style shifts away from edgy dark clothes to tight, skin-revealing cocktail dresses. Yet her body's tension never allows her clothing to be simply alluring. The glint in her eye seems like the edge of a knife, sharp and ready to slice. When the real Nikki briefly breaks through, Navarrette's performance becomes heartbreaking. The full horror of what Bear has done to her becomes clear as the real Nikki sprawls for escape. 

However, Barker undercuts the message of anti-misogyny through third-act violence. While several characters will be gravely harmed in Obsession, it's the women whose bodies are most brutally attacked. One female character is not only bludgeoned horrifically, but a close-up lingers on the pulpy remains of what used to be her face. Later, her corpse will be on display, totally naked, with no apparent reason beyond grisly spectacle. 

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It's such cheap and sleazy gags that make Obsession feel frustratingly juvenile. Sure, on one hand, several characters lecture Bear about the responsibility he has to his girlfriend, especially if he's the cause of her current circumstances. On the other hand, the styling of Nikki in fashion and gore urges the audience to stare at her body, pushing Bear's perspective of her as a thing to be attained and gawked over. Then, some randomly jokey bits — like an inexplicable argument with a shop clerk and the film's final jaunty song over the credits — awkwardly attempt to wedge in humor. To what end? Of course, horror and comedy can go together beautifully, as we've seen in Get Out or, more recently, Weapons. But here, these clumsy attempts at levity just seem crass. 

Obsession explores an incel's twisted idea of romance through scenes of brutal violence and gross-out gags involving blood, vomit, piss, and a cat corpse. Barker and his cast go hard into the darkness, creating scenes that are visually disturbing and emotionally harrowing. For all that, I can imagine this becoming one of those movies horror fans dare each other to watch. However, even as the audience may come to understand that Bear is not the hero of this story but the villain, Obsession's cinematography favors his perspective, turning the female characters into fleshy, dehumanizing spectacles until the end. 

This makes the finale of Obsession unnerving — not so much for what it shows, but for the empathy it ultimately lacks. 

Obsession opens in theater on May 15. 

Rarely does a headphone release generate massive buzz off its design alone. The Nothing Headphone (1) did just that.

Combining old-school aesthetics with modern functionality, these wireless cans currently have the undivided attention of audiophiles and hypebeasts with an affinity for stylishly crafted audio products. Well, I strongly recommend tempering expectations.

The Headphone (1) reward you with strong active noise cancellation, battery life, and sound. Nothing’s see-through design isn’t for everyone, and those who find it intriguing will either be happy or disappointed when unboxed. These headphones are also rough around the edges in certain ways.

Come see what I’m talking about.

The author wearing the Nothing Headphone (1). Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable Nothing Headphone (1) wireless headphones specs and setup

The Headphone (1) have an impressive spec sheet. See for yourself.

• Speaker Driver Unit: 40mm

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 40,000 Hz

• Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation

• 4-mic AI-backed environmental noise cancellation

• KEF acoustic engineering

• Bluetooth 5.3 with Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, and USB-C lossless playback

• IP52 dust and water resistance

• 35 hours of battery with ANC on / 80 hours with ANC off

• 5-minute quick charging equals 5 hours of listening time (ANC off)

• Colors: Black and white

Pairing is both simple and unique. These headphones have something I’ve never seen before — a Bluetooth button discreetly hidden inside the bottom right of the right earcup. Powering on the headphones will enable pairing mode to connect to iOS/macOS or Android devices; the latter takes advantage of one-tap Google Fast Pair. 

The Nothing app (iOS/Android) grants access to a variety of personalized features, and it supports firmware updates.

SEE ALSO: Our first impression of the Nothing Headphone (1): Their price tag makes sense

Nothing developed a singular control scheme for seamless operation. All controls are placed on the right earcup. There’s an action button on the front to assign advanced functions (e.g., digital assistance, EQ preset, mic mute). The real attraction is the roller that adjusts volume by scrolling left or right. It even serves as a multifunctional button to activate listening modes and playback. Below the roller is a paddle for call management and fast forward/rewind. Everything works exceptionally well.

A meticulous, yet polarizing design

This design isn’t for everyone. On top of that, the headphones don’t look as cool as they do in press images. That doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate Nothing’s artful ingenuity.

The retro look might not be everyone's cup of tea. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Details are everything, and the Headphone (1) don’t run short of them. The clean white box on the inside has an embossed imprint of the headphones that exudes minimalist art vibes. The oval cassette tape housings evoke Sony Walkman memories, while the rectangular earcups are a nice callback to vintage home audio headphones. Small touches like the angular arms and dot imprints showcase the brand’s chic craftsmanship. IP54 certification protects the headphones from dust, sweat, and water splashing.

Unfortunately, the Headphone (1) are clunky and heavy (11.6 ounces). They clank together when the earcups are swiveled, which chips the metallic paint job over time.

SEE ALSO: Dyson’s first stand-alone headphones look like a vacuum, but sound incredible Great sound and even greater noise cancellation

The Headphone (1) aren’t going to win any audiophile awards. Nonetheless, KEF tuned the soundstage to produce a satisfying mix of lows, mids, and highs. 

Sound was mostly pleasant right out of the box. Playing with the EQ improved it. There was the option to create a sound profile by manually adjusting frequencies or select from four presets: Balanced (default), More Bass, More Treble, and Voice. More Treble offered the most stable sound. 

You'll want to adjust the EQ. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The electric guitar riff and striking drums on Green Day’s “Walking Contradiction” were impactful and put me in headbanger mode. Run the Jewels’ “ooh la la” had tremendous reverberation, highlighted by monstrous bass that extended and decayed smoothly with each sporadic snare strike. Mids and highs were decent. Ballads like Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together” delivered bright and crisp vocals that were accentuated when the singer exercised her pitch range in the outro.

Android devices provided the best listening experience via LDAC. The audio codec streams music at a high bitrate and maintains the nuance from original recordings. Spotify songs sounded compressed on my MacBook Pro, but they received a hi-res boost on my OnePlus 11 and Nothing Phone (3) smartphones. The same went for all other content. Enabling the low lag mode reduces latency when watching videos. 

It’s also fantastic that the headphones support lossless playback through USB-C connection. I noticed a huge difference in clarity on Apple Music tracks when plugged into my MacBook Pro. Nothing’s spatial audio mode won’t wow you like Apple’s or Bose’s 3D audio format, but it’s acceptable if you want theater-like acoustics. 

Nothing’s real-time adaptive ANC performed better than I anticipated. The technology suppressed various sounds across the frequency spectrum. Common distractions like chatty pedestrians and household appliances went unnoticed. High-pitched sounds (e.g., crying babies, sirens, whistles) were minimized. I used Transparency mode religiously at home, specifically when cooking. The mics picked up vocals clearly and made it easy to communicate with the missus from across the room. This feature was most useful outdoors; I could hear people walking behind me and cars coming from a block away.

ANC playtime is reasonable (35 hours), though you can get more than double the battery life when turning it off (up to 80 hours). Fast charging maximizes usage: a five-minute charge generates five hours of listening time (ANC off).

Unpolished areas and other concerns

The Headphone (1) demonstrated many flaws. Connectivity was wonky in multipoint mode (audio stuttered when several feet away from my primary device). The short 3.5mm and USB-C cables weren’t practical for desktop/laptop use. Wear detection barely worked, and when it did, there was always a three-second delay. 

Another issue that must be addressed is that the headphones aren’t foldable. This makes them less convenient to carry and exposes certain parts to damage.

Nothing Headphone (1) vs. Nothing Headphone (a) The Headphone (1), left, and Headphone (a), left, bear a striking resemblance. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The Headphone (1) are no longer the only option if you're looking for over-ear headphones from Nothing. They're also no longer the only option if you especially appreciate their design. In March 2026, Nothing released the Headphone (a), which are $100 cheaper at $199. There are less sophisticated audio features, with Mashable's Bethany Allard pointing to no KEF-powered sound and fewer spatial audio features as the most major drawbacks. The cheaper headphones also have less powerful ANC, a plastic chassis, and a carrying pouch (as opposed to the Headphone (1) carrying case).

The newer headphones come with a better battery life of 75 hours with ANC on and 135 hours with no ANC. The on-ear controls remain largely the same between the two headphones, except for the placement of the Bluetooth button in the upper interior part of the right ear cup on the Headphone (a).

Opens in a new window Credit: Nothing Nothing Headphone (a) $199 at Amazon
  Get Deal Are the Nothing Headphone (1) worth it?

If you’re a brand enthusiast or a fan of retro-looking headphones who wants adequate ANC and sound at an attainable price, then the Nothing Headphone (1) will suffice. Everyone else will want to consider other premium options, or the Nothing Headphone (a).

KEF’s soundstage brings depth and richness to most tracks. Playing with the EQ gets you better results, and lossless playback boosts audio performance. I’m shocked by how effective ANC is on these headphones. The technology neutralizes unwanted noise at a high level and raises ambient awareness when in transparency mode. The extra-long playtimes also come in handy when traveling. 

My controversial take is that the Headphone (1) look better as a concept than an actual release. Their appearance is nostalgically appealing, and some elements are attractive, but they don’t have the same charm in person as they do in advertisements. Factor in their shortcomings and we’re talking about a questionable investment.

Nothing Headphone (1) $239 at Amazon
$299 Save $60   Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Nothing

Many of us wouldn't be where we are without our father figures — not just regular dads but also uncles, stepdads, granddads, or anyone else who has stepped up to take on the all-important father role. And though they probably insist that you don't have to get them anything, Father's Day (June 21, 2026) is the perfect opportunity to show some love and appreciation for your dad.

From practical gadgets that make his life easier to sentimental keepsakes that tug on his heartstrings, you’re sure to find the best Father’s Day gift for your dad below.

TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Mega Feraligatr ex Box listed for $69.86, down from its usual $81.73 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes Mega Feraligatr ex Box $69.86 at Amazon
$81.73 Save $11.87   Get Deal

Ascended Heroes has rapidly become one of the most expensive Pokémon TCG expansions in the market right now, but Amazon has introduced a price drop that helps out collectors.

As of May 15, Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Mega Feraligatr ex Box available for $69.86, down from its typical $81.73 price. This 15% discount saves you $11.87, with the best listing sold and shipped by Collectors Expedition. Free delivery is listed for May 21-22.

Walmart is almost matching Amazon, with the same Mega Feraligatr ex Box listed at $69.93, down from $79.50. That saves you $9.57, and the listing is also sold and shipped by Collectors Expedition. Walmart’s delivery window is a little faster, arriving by May 19, but unlike Amazon, the item is marked as not returnable.

TCGplayer is still the cheapest route overall if you don’t mind buying through marketplace sellers. Its lowest unopened listing is currently $53.99 with shipping included, with 57 sellers and 317 units available. The market price sits at $52.56, while the listed median is $57.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

Inside the box, you’ll get one playable foil promo card featuring Mega Feraligatr ex, one oversize lenticular promo card, and four Pokémon TCG Ascended Heroes booster packs. Each booster pack includes 10 trading cards, one Basic Energy, and one Pokémon TCG Live code card.

Buying four single Ascended Heroes Boosters Packs on Amazon would cost you $83.96 in total. With this Mega Feraligatr ex Box, you’re saving $14.10 compared to buying them individually — even before you factor in the promo card and oversized version. 

To save on more boosters, you can also pre-order the Pokémon TCG Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection for only $69.99. What’s more, you can still grab the Perfect Order Booster Bundle for under $50. 

Although currently not available on Amazon, the Pokémon TCG’s newly-announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

TL;DR: Amazon has the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box up for preorder at $113.97, down from its $119.99 list price. This is a bonus 5% off, with the listing sold and shipped by Amazon directly. 

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box $113.97 at Amazon
$119.99 Save $6.02   Pre-order Here

The Pokémon TCG’s new Chaos Rising expansion comes out soon, and the price war between retailers is heating up to the point where we are starting to see last-minute discounts on Elite Trainer Boxes.

As of May 15, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box is listed at Amazon for $113.97, down from its $119.99 list price. That’s an extra 5% off and the lowest we’ve seen on this particular box.

Sold and shipped by Amazon directly, free delivery is scheduled for May 25, just after Chaos Rising’s May 22 release date.

If you’re open to shopping with other retailers, Walmart — previously sporting Amazon’s $113.97 price — has dropped its price even further to $109.77 with free shipping. TCGplayer’s unopened presale listings start at $102.79 with shipping included — just over the ETB’s $101.53 market price.

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Inside the Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box, you’ll get nine Mega Evolution Chaos Rising booster packs, a full-art foil Fennekin promo card, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player’s guide, six damage-counter dice, a competition-legal coin-flip die, a plastic coin, a collector’s box with dividers, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. 

Chaos Rising brings the Mega Evolution era back to Lumiose City, with Mega Floette ex, Mega Greninja ex, Mega Pyroar ex, and Mega Dragalge ex among the featured Pokémon Legends: Z-A Pocket Monsters in the expansion.

If you’re catching up on the previous expansions, you can still grab the Pokémon TCG’s Perfect Order ETB for around $70. For even more boosters, the upcoming Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection is available to pre-order for $69.99.

Although currently not available on Amazon, the Pokémon TCG’s newly announced Pitch Black expansion is available to pre-order at TCGplayer.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, May 15, 2026:

AcrossBaseball stat hidden in "super big hit"

• The answer is RBI.

Hi, in Hawaii

• The answer is Aloha.

With 8-Across, start running or going to the gym

• The answer is Get In.

See 7-Across

• The answer is Shape.

Opposite of NNE

• The answer is SSW.

DownOpposite of riches, in a saying

• The answer is Rags.

"Ew, gross"

• The answer is Bleh.

Tiny bits

• The answer is Iotas.

Where the hands are placed when "Hey, Macarena!" is sung

• The answer is Hips.

All over again

• The answer is Anew.

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

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

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

SAVE OVER $200: As of May 15, the Insignia 75-inch Class QF LED 4K QLED Smart TV has dropped to $399.99 at Amazon. This is $250 off its list price of $649.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Insignia Insignia 75-inch Class QF Series LED 4K UHD QLED Smart Fire TV $399.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $250   Get Deal

If you've been keeping an eye on what's releasing soon on streaming services, you'll notice that summer is already looking stacked with exciting shows. If you've been thinking it's time to upgrade your TV for upcoming binge-watches, Amazon is the place to look. The retailer has several great deals worth checking out right now, including a price drop on the Insignia 75-inch Class QF LED 4K QLED Smart TV.

This Insignia 75-inch TV has had $250 slashed off its price tag, dropping it down to $399.99. This is also just a cent away from its lowest-ever price of $399.98. If you've been searching for something new, why not upgrade to this huge screen?

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This Insignia TV offers excellent picture quality alongside its massive 75-inch screen size, with 4K Ultra HD resolution and QLED display technology that brings out bright, vibrant colors and intricate details in what you're watching. It even supports Dolby Vision for further image enhancements and Dolby Atmos sound, which provides spatial audio that helps you feel even more immersed in what's happening on screen.

This is a Fire TV, meaning you can easily access all of your favorite streaming apps right from its home screen. Getting back into the show you've started or the movie you've been hoping to watch is simple and easy.

Since Amazon has it marked as a limited time deal, it may not be discounted for long. If it's caught your eye, be quick to score this excellent discount on the Insignia 75-inch Class QF LED 4K QLED Smart TV.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

Anthropic's Claude Mythos is an AI that's so good at finding security flaws, the company opted not to release it publicly, instead giving access to a closed circle of security researchers and large organizations.

Now, we're getting first glimpses of just how powerful Mythos (currently available only to select partners, including Apple, as Claude Mythos Preview) can be. The Wall Street Journal reported that security researchers from a Palo Alto-based company called Calif used Mythos to find a crack in Apple's macOS.

SEE ALSO: DeepSeek V4 is here: How it compares to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini

In a blog post shared by Calif on Thursday, the researchers called this the "first public macOS kernel memory corruption exploit on Apple M5," and explained, without going into all the technicalities, that the exploit can be used to give an unprivileged local user complete access to the device.

The exploit, the post explained, involves "two vulnerabilities and several techniques." But here's the kicker: Anthropic's Claude Mythos Preview helped them find the bugs, and assisted with exploit development.

"Mythos Preview is powerful: once it has learned how to attack a class of problems, it generalizes to nearly any problem in that class. Mythos discovered the bugs quickly because they belong to known bug classes," the post said.

Featured Video For You Moltbook's real risk isn't AI. It's your data

It's unclear whether the flaw Calif found has already been patched or not. As MacRumors pointed out, Apple's release notes for macOS Tahoe 26.5, which was released on Monday, do mention a fix for a bug that was submitted by Calif in collaboration with Claude and Anthropic Research, and Calif is mentioned in two other vulnerability reports.

However, in its blog post, Calif said it met with Apple "early this week," perhaps implying that the fix is yet to come. "Full technical details will be shared after Apple fixes the vulnerabilities and attack path," the post said.

An Apple spokeseperson gave the WSJ a canned response to the report, saying, "Security is our top priority, and we take reports of potential vulnerabilities very seriously."

TL;DR: Watch the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Are you looking for thrilling and unpredictable racing? No we're not talking about F1, unless you like regular pit stops, safety cars, and the same driver winning almost every week. We're talking about a form of two-wheel racing where anything could happen.

MotoGP is where the real action can be found. Every week you see the best riders in the world go wheel to wheel with their rivals, throwing their bikes into corners with absolutely no sense of self preservation. It's an awesome spectacle, and it doesn't need to cost you anything to watch.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Want to watch the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free from anywhere in the world? We have all the information you need.

What is MotoGP?

MotoGP is the oldest established motorsport world championship, with the inaugural season taking place in 1949. Races last approximately 45 minutes, without pitting for fuel or fresh tires.

The likes of Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha do battle for the constructors' championship. Marc Márquez is the defending champion.

When is the 2026 MotoGP World Championship?

The 2026 MotoGP World Championship features 22 races held all over the world between March and November:

1. Thailand GP — March 1

2. Brazil GP — March 22

3. USA GP — March 29

4. Qatar GP — April 12

5. Spain GP — April 26

6. France GP — May 10

7. Catalonia GP — May 17

8. Italy GP — May 31

9. Hungary GP — June 7

10. Czechia GP — June 21

11. Netherlands GP — June 28

12. Germany GP — July 12

13. Great Britain GP — Aug. 9

14. Aragon GP — Aug. 30

15. San Marino GP — Sept. 13

16. Austria GP — Sept. 20

17. Japan GP — Oct. 4

18. Indonesian GP — Oct. 11

19. Australia GP — Oct. 25

20. Malaysia GP — Nov. 1

21. Portugal GP — Nov. 15

22. Valencia GP — Nov. 22

The good news for fans is that it's possible to live stream the 2026 MotoGP World Championship without spending anything.

How to watch the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free

The 2026 MotoGP World Championship is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following this quick and easy process:

1. Sign up for a 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 Austria

4. Visit ServusTV

5. Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees. By using these money-back guarantees, you can watch MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select races without actually spending anything.

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

What is the best VPN for ServusTV?

ExpressVPN is tough to beat when it comes to streaming live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

• 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

• Impressive streaming speeds without buffering

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream the 2026 MotoGP World Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

Xreal first introduced the new R1 Gaming AR Glasses, part of a partnership with Asus ROG, at CES 2026, and they're now available to pre-order globally.

Gamers can pre-order the pricey smart glasses at Best Buy starting today for $849; they'll be available for pre-order through the Xreal online store starting May 17. Pickups from Best Buy will begin May 25.

Everything we know about the new ROG and Xreal R1 AR glasses These plug and play gaming glasses project a screen up to 171 inches. Credit: Xreal

The R1 was one of the coolest products I tested at CES 2026 — and I tested pretty much all of the smart glasses on display at the annual tech show. (At the time, I wrote, "I've seen a lot of cool products at CES, but Xreal has the coolest demo I've seen yet.") Plug them into a gaming handheld, Xbox console, or gaming PC, and these augmented reality glasses project a massive 171-inch virtual screen into the air. Unlike Xreal's other AR glasses, they're optimized for gaming specifically and come with an ROG Control Dock.

Xreal says the R1 is the world's first and fastest AR glasses with a 240Hz refresh rate (with boosted frame rate enabled). Back at CES, I got to play Elden Ring and other games using the glasses. I was impressed by the graphics, color clarity, smoothness, and overall speed, and I had no trouble believing they could achieve a 240Hz refresh rate. For comparison, the latest Viture Beast gaming glasses max out at 120Hz. The glasses also support Xreal's real-time 2D-to-3D conversion, which works surprisingly well in my testing.

The glasses weren't overly heavy on my face, which is always a concern with smart glasses.

Xreal is positioning the glasses as a premium product, and with an $849 price tag, they have to be. According to Xreal, the glasses work best when used with last year's ROG Xbox Ally X handheld gaming console.

A press release states:

"The R1 unlocks a new dimension of handheld gaming through synchronized dual-display functionality with ROG Ally. While the glasses project a 171-inch virtual battlefield, the Ally’s built-in display remains active to allows real-time adjustments to brightness, screen size, aspect ratio, visual effects, and more – all without interrupting gameplay."

I still need to test these glasses outside of a demo environment, and I'll have a full review to share in the weeks ahead. But for early adopters ready to take the plunge, you can pre-order the glasses at Best Buy starting today.

Opens in a new window Credit: Xreal Asus ROG Xreal R1 Gaming AR Glasses $849.99 at Best Buy
  Pre-order Here The Asus ROG Xreal R1 Gaming AR Glasses by the numbers The ROG Xreal R1 Gaming AR Glasses and control dock Credit: Xreal

• Display: Sony 0.55-inch micro-OLED displays

• Refresh rate: Up to 240Hz

• Resolution: 1920 x 1080

• Display size: 171-inch display from 4 meters away

• Field of view: 57 degrees

• Weight: 91 grams

• Peak brightness: 700 nits

• Connectivity: PCs, consoles, handhelds, Android, and iOS via USB-C

• Sound by Bose

• Electrochromic lenses

• Includes the ROG Control Dock

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

Released in August 2025, 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 on to 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 with 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 May 15, 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 May 15, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for May 15 Pips

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for May 15 Pips

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

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

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically; 0-6, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for May 15 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically.

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

Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 5-4, placed vertically.

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

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will require some sports and pop culture knowledge.

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. The sports 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 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 before 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: Hockey homeland teams

• Green: Plays in Fin City

• Blue: Star Rockies

• Purple: Sounds like an NBA Hall of Famer

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Canadian NHL Teams

• Green: Teams That Play in San Jose

• Blue: Colorado Rockies All-Stars, Historically

• Purple: Starts with a Basketball Hall of Famer

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 #599 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Canadian NHL Teams: CANCUCKS, FLAMES, JETS, OILERS

• Teams That Play in San Jose: BAY FC, EARTHQUAKES, SAN JOSE STATE, SHARKS

• Colorado Rockies All-Stars, Historically: ARENADO, STORY, TULOWITZKI, WALKER

• Starts with a Basketball Hall of Famer: BINGHAMTON, BIRDMAN, NASHVILLE, WEST SIDE

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

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

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

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

Research finds that as people climb the career ladder, they tend to treat their perspective as the entire story, ignoring their biases and blind spots. But when you adopt this “main-character energy,” everyone suffers: Your team experiences lower trust and performance, and you’re more likely to experience depression and loneliness. The strongest leaders stay close […]

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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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

Small and round.

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

BEADY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

An eating utensil.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 15, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SPOON

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Satan.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 15 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 15, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

DEVIL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To long for.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

YEARN

Final Hurdle hint

Premature.

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

EARLY

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

TL;DR: Watch Canada vs. Sweden in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is starting with a number of really interesting matchups, including Canada vs. Sweden. We're not going to see all of the stars we saw over the Winter Olympics, but this is still a standout fixture involving some big names. Both teams will expect to advance to the knockout rounds, so a good start to this campaign is vital.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Canada vs. Sweden?

Canada vs. Sweden in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 10:20 a.m. ET on May 15. This fixture takes place at the BCF Arena in Fribourg.

How to watch Canada vs. Sweden for free

Canada vs. Sweden in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), 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 a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships 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 pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Finland vs. Germany plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, 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 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. Sweden in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Finland vs. Germany in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The memories of the ice hockey at the Winter Olympics are still fresh in our mind, but we're greedy for more. It's not like we don't have enough top-quality competition to enjoy right now, but if there's anyone out there who has time for more besides the NHL playoffs, the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships are starting.

The first game on the schedule is particularly interesting. Finland face off against Germany in Zürich. Both teams were dumped out at the quarter-final stage in the last edition of this competition.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Finland vs. Germany?

Finland vs. Germany in the 2026 IIHF World Championships starts at 10:20 a.m. ET on May 15. This fixture takes place at the Swiss Life Arena in Zürich.

How to watch Finland vs. Germany for free

Finland vs. Germany in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), 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 a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships 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 pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream Finland vs. Germany plus every other fixture before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, 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 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 Finland vs. Germany in the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

The Moon is now almost entirely out of view as we approach the New Moon, can you see anything tonight?

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Friday, May 15, the Moon phase is Waning Crescent. Tonight, 4% of the moon will be be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

There isn't enough visibility tonight to see anything on the Moon's surface. After the New Moon, visibility will start to return.

When is the next Full Moon?

There are two Full Moons in May, with the next due to take place on May 31.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes about 29.5 days to complete a full orbit around Earth, moving through eight distinct phases along the way. Although we always see the same side of the Moon, the changing angle of sunlight as it orbits creates the familiar full, half, and crescent shapes. In total, the lunar cycle is made up of eight main phases:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TL;DR: Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free on IIHF.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We're still buzzing from the international hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, but there's more to come. We know the focus of the ice hockey world is firmly fixed on the resolution of the NHL season right now, but the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is here to offer something to fans without a vested interest in the Stanley Cup.

This tournament doesn't have quite the same prestige as the Winter Olympics, but the 2024 World Championship was the most successful in terms of overall attendance. We're expecting this tournament in Switzerland to be just as popular as the USA, Canada, Czechia, Sweden, Finland, and other top sides battle it out on the ice.

If you're interested in watching the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

What is the Ice Hockey World Championships?

The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual international men's ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation. 16 teams are divided into two groups for the Preliminary Round played in a single round robin format. The top-four ranked teams of each group advance to the knockout rounds.

The defending champions are Czechia.

When is the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships?

The 2026 IIHF World Championships will take place from May 15-31. This year's tournament will be hosted by Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.

How to watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free

The 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships is available to live stream for free on IIHF.TV.

IIHF.TV is not available in some locations due to regional broadcasting restrictions (blocked locations listed here), 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 a location with access, meaning you can stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for 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. Connect to IIHF.TV

5. Watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships 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 pretty generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream the tournament before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for the Ice Hockey World Championships?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on free platforms, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream the 2026 Ice Hockey World Championships for free with ExpressVPN.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a dog lover.

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 May 15, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: To maneuver

• Green: Basketballers

• Blue: Same letters

• Purple: Canine breeds

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Vote for your favorite creators today

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Navigate through, as a river

• Green: Multi-time NBA MVPs

• Blue: Non-palindromic words in a famous palindrome

• Purple: Homophones of kinds of dogs, familiarly

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The solution to today's Connections #1069 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Navigate through, as a river: CROSS, FORD, TRAVERSE, WADE

• Multi-time NBA MVPs: BIRD, CURRY, JAMES, JORDAN

• Non-palindromic words in a famous palindrome: ABLE, ELBA, SAW, WAS

• Homophones of kinds of dogs, familiarly: CIAO, PALM, PEEK, PITT

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 May 15, 2026

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