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

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.

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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.

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

SEE ALSO: 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: West coast baseball

• Green: Tennis tournament cities

• Blue: Kyler Murray timeline

• Purple: Cup competitions

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: AL West Teams

• Green: Locations of Tennis Grand Slams

• Blue: Kyler Murray Teams

• Purple: ___Cup

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 #617 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• AL West Teams: ASTROS, ATHLETICS, MARINERS, RANGERS

• Locations of Tennis Grand Slams: LONDON, MELBOURNE, NEW YORK, PARIS

• Kyler Murray Teams: CARDINALS, OKLAHOMA, TEXAS A&M, VIKINGS

• ___Cup: FA, GREY, TERRITORIAL, WORLD

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.

Amazon's 12th annual Prime Day sale will run from June 23 to 26 this year, the company said Tuesday. For the second year in a row, the flagship summer savings event will last four days, up from its original two.

This will be the first year that Prime Day falls in June instead of its usual mid-July time slot. Amazon initially announced the shift in its first-quarter earnings statement posted on April 29 — possibly by mistake.

The June move was mentioned in a section of the statement about recent company updates: "Amazon ... Shared that Prime Day will take place in most countries in June," it read. But in fact, the retail giant had not shared the news at that point. Amazon then published a blog post with a formal announcement less than an hour after the statement went out.

"Prime Day is back!" the post read. "Amazon's annual deals event for Prime members returns this June, with discounts on some of the hottest brands, socially trending items, creator favorites, and Amazon-exclusive products to make this June's event even more valuable for members."

At the time, an Amazon spokesperson told Mashable that it was moving Prime Day to June on shoppers' behalf. (They didn't elaborate on specifics.)

"Each year, we work with our teams around the world to determine the best timing for Prime Day," they said. "This year, we felt holding the event earlier in the summer was the right choice for our customers."

Competing retailers like Best Buy, Target, and Walmart always ran their own sales alongside Prime Day back when it was held in July. That will probably still be the case this year, though none of them have announced anything yet.

Yesterday we went over five questions to help you lead a project-driven organization. Here are five more questions you need to answer.  If job titles matter less, how do organizations identify expertise? Match people to work based on capabilities and experience rather than formal roles or reporting structures.  What is the difference between a working group and a […]

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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

Sharp.

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

ACUTE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A hot pepper.

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

CHILI

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Points.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 2 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 2, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ARROW

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An agricultural machine.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

BALER

Final Hurdle hint

Started.

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

BEGAN

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

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 June 2, 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 June 2, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for June 2 Pips

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-3, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for June 2 Pips

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 4-4, placed horizontally.

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

Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 3-1, placed vertically.

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 5-6, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 3-2, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for June 2 Pips

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 5-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally.

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

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

Greater Than (6): Everything in this space must be 3-4, placed vertically.

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically.

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

Number (6): Everything in this orange space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 4-6, placed horizontally.

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

Game Changer is back for Season 8. The premiere went legally spicy with host/Dropout CEO Sam Reich challenging players to "Don't Wake Standards and Practices." Now, episode 2 was a "game sampler," meaning Reich brought back the hilarity that was Season 7's "Rulette" with new rules, new prompts, and two new players. 

Anna Garcia returns to the Rulette wheel, this time flanked by Demi Adejuyigbe, and Josh Ruben. While the whole episode was threaded with hilarious running gags, we got hooked on all the name-dropping. 

One of the rules applied to the players was to say a famous person's full name before they stopped speaking. Originally assigned to Adejuyigbe, he had the brunt of name-dropping during "Rulette 2." However, each player had a turn, and even Reich and Paul Refereno (aka Dropout producer Paul Robalino) got in on the fun.

SEE ALSO: Dropout curious? Here's where you should start watching.

Below is every name we heard dropped over the course of the episode, listed by who let it drop. Plus, we've got some trivia questions for bonus fun.

Demi's name drops on "Rulette 2":  Demi Adejuyigbe and Sam Reich at the wheel for "Rulette 2" on "Game Changer." Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

Channing Tatum

George W. Bush 

George H.W. Bush 

Scarlett Johansson

Sam Reich

Patrick Swayze

JFK Jr. 

Michael Ian Black

Ken Marino

Paul Reubens

Sam Elliott 

Allison Janney 

Jane Fonda 

Annieeeeeeee (fail) 

Ladybird Johnson 

Blythe Danner 

Robert De Niro

Al Pacino 

Rosalind Russell

David Lean

Graham Chapman, Monty Python

Michael Jai White

Rob Schneider 

Aditya Pancholi 

Felicity Huffman

William H. Macy 

Melissa McCarthy 

Jordan Peele

Michael Schur

Judge Judy

Jamie Lee Curtis

Lindsay Lohan

Tim Story

Josh's name drops on "Rulette 2": Josh Ruben on "Game Changer: Rulette 2." Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

David Wain

Zach Galifianakis 

Oscar Isaac

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Gillian Anderson

Guillermo del Toro

What famous person was named unprompted by Josh Ruben? Left: Credit: Roy Rochlin/Getty Images Right: Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

Joe Biden

Sam's name drops on "Rulette 2": Demi Adejuyigbe and Sam Reich at the wheel for "Rulette 2" on "Game Changer." Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

Michael Showalter

David Blaine 

David Duchovny 

George Washington Carver

What famous actor got name-dropped twice in "Rulette 2?" Left: Credit: Ken Woroner / Netflix Right: Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

Oscar Isaac

Paul's name drops on "Rulette 2":

Sam Reich 

Allison Williams 

Damon Wayans 

George Lopez

Rosa Parks 

Lil Dicky

(William) Howard Taft

Bob Iger 

Jane Lynch

What's Lil Dicky's full name? Left: Credit: Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images Right: Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

David Andrew Burd

Anna's name drops on "Rulette 2": Anna Garcia and Sam Reich at the wheel for "Rulette 2" on "Game Changer." Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

Betsy Ross

Barack Obama

Paul F. Thompkins 

Joe Jonas

Katharine Hepburn

Christopher Fitzgerald

Al Capone

Will Ferrell

What Dropout cast member got dragged by being named as an "non-famous person?" Left: Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout Right: Credit: Kate Elliott / Dropout

Paul Robalino - by Anna Garcia

Game Changer Season 8, episode 2, "Rulette 2," is now streaming on Dropout. 

Pediatrician Dr. Tiffany Munzer has encouraging words for parents hoping to strike a healthy balance with summer screen time for their kids and teens.

"There are things that they can do, even though the deck really feels sometimes stacked against them," says Munzer.

Munzer, who is also a digital media researcher at the University of Michigan, has no illusions about the challenges parents face over the summer. Fulfilling, screen-free activities are often expensive and require shuttling kids during the workday.

SEE ALSO: What to do when your teen replaces you with a chatbot

Letting children, even teens, stay home for hours on end presents its own dilemmas. Once a digital device is in their hands, it can be difficult — and feel impossible — to get a child to put it down.

Yet Munzer, along with the childhood independence advocate Lenore Skenazy, shared practical tips with Mashable for summertime device use that can liberate kids from screens and get them outside playing with friends and peers.

Make a screen time plan

Going into summer without a screen time plan, yet still expecting balance, is unlikely to work.

Instead, Munzer recommends that parents develop a predictable yet flexible schedule. Ideally, it reflects when parents most need support, like during a meeting or an unsupervised gap between when they leave and a caregiver arrives.

Younger children who aren't able to read may particularly benefit from a visual schedule they can interpret with symbols or graphics, so they know how the day is ordered.

Regardless of the child's age, the schedule should show the entire day, not just blocks when they'll have access to a tablet or TV.

Start with reasonable screen time expectations

Munzer doesn't expect any parent to forego screen time altogether. A parent's goal, rather, should be to prioritize high-quality screen time experiences and swap in-person activities for device use as much as possible.

In a recent policy paper that Munzer co-authored for the American Academy of Pediatrics, Munzer and her colleagues suggested ranges of less than an hour per day of digital media for toddler and preschoolers and one to two hours daily for school-aged kids and teens.

Munzer recognizes that children may likely exceed those guidelines during the summer or weekend, when they have more time. After all, she told Mashable, digital media is "seamless and easy to access" compared to typically expensive in-person childcare, summer camps, and entertainment and play options for kids.

Set boundaries for digital media content

When parents need help deciding what to allow on a digital device, Munzer recommends they trust their own intuition. Often, parents want to watch or play the media themselves (hello, adult Bluey fans).

In general, Munzer says the parental litmus test should be whether the content contributes to their child's well-being. Parents should look for themes that help kids make meaning of the world and encourage positive behaviors like kindness and perspective-taking.

Ruling out poor or predatory design is also important. This includes AI slop and creepy or violent content.

Less obvious are design choices that maximize marketing to children, amp up emotions for clicks, and incentivize constant scrolling or passive consumption.

Munzer points parents to the American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence's guidance on specific types of digital content with green, yellow, and red light ratings. She also recommends Common Sense Media's reviews of popular shows, games, apps, podcasts, and other forms of entertainment.

Help your child with tolerating boredom

A thoughtful screen time plan is essential, but kids of all ages may need support in coping with boredom when they don't have a digital device or entertainment. (Munzer says parents may also need to learn to tolerate the distress that's triggered when their child is unhappy without a screen.)

Parents should avoid responding to boredom by handing back a device, Munzer says. Instead, parents should rely on their schedule as a guide. If there's an hour of downtime between screen time sessions, parents should stick to that as best as they can.

Munzer warns that toddlers and pre-schoolers may only be capable of 15 minutes of independent play, at which point the parent may have to join them briefly. Younger children should know when these bursts of co-playing can happen, and for how long.

Try a test run on the weekend

Munzer says parents have a better shot at success when they test a schedule on the weekend. Attempting to set new limits on screen time just before a big virtual meeting begins may only end in frustration and tears (for everyone).

Low-stakes test runs help kids build confidence and competence, Munzer says. It also gives parents the chance to see that their child is capable of adjusting to the expectations.

Swap screen time for other activities

A parent with a strong sense of how they want their child to engage with devices over the summer still has to fill in several hours of screen-free gaps throughout the day.

Munzer recommends looking for local or community-based activities, including library reading events, hobbyist clubs for kids, and summer-specific programming. To find the right fit, she suggests leaning into a child's interests. If they enjoy Minecraft, for example, parents might look for a LEGO or robotics club for them to join. Similarly, a child who likes crafting videos might be excited to join a crafting club.

While these options are most feasible for parents of older children, who can potentially attend on their own, parents of younger children can try to replicate the idea at home. A child who loves building online but can't be unsupervised in public might love the challenge of assembling their own creation with pieces of cardboard.

Addressing device and screen time meltdowns

In her pediatric clinic, Munzer frequently advises parents of children who meltdown when their device or screen time is limited. This reality, or the dreaded fear of it, often makes it harder for parents to enforce limits.

First, Munzer wants parents to understand that an emotional response to restrictions is not their fault or their child's.

"There's these behavioral tactics that are built into the design that make it hard for any of us to transition away." - Dr. Tiffany Munzer, pediatrician and digital media researcher

"There's these behavioral tactics that are built into the design that make it hard for any of us to transition away," she says.

That's why Munzer encourages parents to normalize those feelings for children by describing how devices and platforms are designed to keep and hold our attention.

Emotion regulation strategies

To help kids deal with this, Munzer recommends emotion regulation strategies that name the feeling and offer ways to calm the body, such as using Play-Doh, reading a book together, listening to music, or going for a walk.

Parents should avoid soothing a stressed child with the device itself, because it makes it harder for them to learn regulation skills on their own.

Identify underlying factors

Some children may struggle more than others due to developmental conditions like Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Munzer says these kids may gravitate toward the behavioral reinforcement that digital media can often supply.

That doesn't mean they should stay on a device as a coping strategy. Instead, parents should try to identify factors that contribute to screen-related meltdowns and address those.

How to get your kid outside playing with other kids

The dream for many parents is to let their children loose outside and let them play, explore, and socialize until the proverbial sun sets.

Not only is this a free summertime option, it also represents a childhood that many parents had but can't replicate for their kids, for a variety of reasons.

Lenore Skenazy, president of the childhood independence nonprofit Let Grow, says parents can actually give their kid these experiences with the right approach.

"[W]hen kids do things in the real world, it pulls them into more real-world interests and skill-building, away from screens," says Skenazy, who is also the author of Free-Range Kids: How Parents and Teachers Can Let Go and Let Grow.

Let go of the anxiety

Many parents are held back by their own anxiety, Skenazy says. Unlike their own parents, they fret about something terrible happening to their child when they're unsupervised.

Yet Skenazy argues that keeping kids indoors isn't safe for their mental health and well-being. Nor is it conducive to their long-term independence.

In her experience, parents only become less anxious about the what-ifs when their child gets the chance to prove they're capable. The more the child is successful in the world, on their own, the more the parent can see their child's competence more clearly.

Coordinate with other parents

The other big barrier for parents is the absence of children who are also allowed to do things unsupervised.

Without this, Skenazy says, parents are "sunk," and it becomes much harder to consistently offer activities other than screen time: "I don't think it's very realistic to say you're going to send your kid out and they're going to have a great time without any other kids."

That's why she recommends coordinating with other parents who also want their child to have independence.

"There's rocket fuel in knowing that you are not just a taker — you are a giver." - Lenore Skenazy, president of Let Grow

She's spoken with parents who created informal play groups or clubs for the summer. They might set physical boundaries for the kids to explore within, but the expectation is that they'll be on their own for much of the day.

Some use cell phones or trackers while others don't. Skenazy recommends the latter strategy to build more trust. Regardless, parents instruct their children on how to get an adult's help, if needed.

Give your kid tasks that build independence

In general, Skenazy recommends kids take on confidence-building tasks, like going to the store, helping a neighbor, building something they can use, or making breakfast for the family. She adds that such activities help children learn what they like to do besides be online.

Tasks can also be particularly helpful if a child doesn't have a playmate or friend to spend time with during the summer, but their parent still wants to swap screen time for more fulfilling activities.

Let Grow offers a free checklist of ideas to try for the summer. The most important part, says Skenazy, is giving kids the opportunity to contribute, and to do so without constant supervision.

"There's rocket fuel in knowing that you are not just a taker — you are a giver," she says.

On June 1, the Pokémon Company announced the release plans for a special 30th anniversary expansion pack, coming later this year. The "Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration" expansion pack will be released worldwide on Sept. 16, 2026, and the company released a trailer to give fans a peek inside the release.

In an announcement on its website, the Pokémon Company said the pack would be the first pack to get a simultaneous worldwide release, "allowing fans across the world to enjoy collecting new cards at the same time." The expansion pack will be unique in other ways as well, as every card in the pack will be a foil card, including the Basic Energy cards.

SEE ALSO: I tried to buy my son some Pokémon cards at retail price. It was almost impossible.

"In the 30th Celebration expansion, Futuristic rare cards featuring evocative new visuals will debut as the latest addition to the Pokémon TCG. These initial cards feature Mewtwo and Mew illustrated by none other than famed Japanese artist YOSHIROTTEN!"

Mewtwo and Mew cards from 'Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration' pack. Credit: Pokémon Company

In addition, every pack will include one of 30 different Pikachu cards, each featuring unique artist illustrations. Pictures of three of the new Pikachu cards were released on the Pokémon Company website. The packs will also include classic cards such as Charizard from the Base Set and Pikachu & Zekrom-GX from Sun & Moon—Team Up.

Three of 30 new Pikachu cards with new artist illustrations. Credit: Pokémon Company

According to the announcement:

Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration will feature Pokémon from different regions for all kinds of collectors. Look forward to a variety of fan-favorite Pokémon, from Espeon and Umbreon going about their days to Lapras, Drifloon, Zorua, and Lycanroc all appearing as delightful illustration rares, and Greninja and Sylveon stunning as brand-new Pokémon ex. There are plenty more Pokémon where those came from, so stay tuned for more!

More photos of the unreleased cards were published in the announcement, and more details on the worldwide launch will be announced at a later date.

Charizard from the Base Set and Pikachu & Zekrom-GX from Sun & Moon—Team Up Credit: Pokémon Company Cards from the 'Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration' pack coming in September 2026. Credit: Pokémon Company

June is finally underway, and Paramount+ has outlined all it has in store for U.S. subscribers this month. The first month of the summer is slated to be a doozie, with UFC at the White House, a spectacle that's sure to be, er, interesting, some dark and mysterious documentaries, and a new season of the Michael Fassbender spy series The Agency on tap.

We're officially right in the middle of Big Tech developer conference season. Google served up its AI-filled event, Google I/O 2026, a few weeks ago. Apple's annual developer conference, WWDC, is next week.

But, next up? Microsoft Build.

Microsoft's annual developer conference begins tomorrow, June 2, 2026, in San Francisco. If you don't already have plans to attend the event, you're out of luck, as Microsoft says tickets are sold out.

However, you can still watch Microsoft Build 2026 online from anywhere in the world.

Watch the Microsoft Build keynote

The Microsoft Build livestream will kick off with a keynote from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. PT). As per usual, you can watch the event live on YouTube:

What to expect from Microsoft Build 2026

What's to be expected from this year's Microsoft Build? According to the company's description of the opening keynote event, CEO Nadella and other key Microsoft figures will talk about how the company is "creating new opportunity for developers across our platforms in this era of AI."

Unsurprisingly, AI is poised to take center stage at Microsoft Build, just like AI was the focus at this year's Google I/O. The sessions following the keynote focus heavily on agentic AI in particular, with events such as "Build a custom AI agent with open-weight models and OpenClaw" and "Build, deploy, and scale agents with Windows 365."

Microsoft's developer event tends to be more oriented to the technical crowd than Google I/O and Apple's WWDC. However, reports suggest that Microsoft is planning to announce new AI models and significant improvements to Windows 11, so there might be something for everyone at this year's Microsoft Build.

Mashable will be covering Microsoft Build, and if there are any interesting announcements related to Windows 12 or Xbox, we'll be sure to share the latest news with our readers.

The midsize truck segment and its move away from the tried-and-true V6 didn't happen overnight, but it happened faster than most of us realized. Within the span of just a few model years, turbocharged four-cylinders replaced naturally aspirated V6 engines across nearly every nameplate in the segment.

What will make young people pay attention to the still-uncured HIV virus? MPact Global Action, an organization working to address the toll of HIV on gay and bisexual men, believes online creators are key to breaking through to Gen Z.

Nearly 50 years after the disease we now call AIDS was first identified, there is still no cure or vaccine. Science has advanced to the point that HIV, which causes AIDS, is a treatable disease. Medications like PrEP, if taken, make it nearly impossible to contract HIV.

And yet even during Pride Month, young people rarely see any information about HIV, or how they can keep themselves safe. That's why MPact has launched the Q Collab, an initiative that aims to enlist adult content creators to change the conversation around LGBTQ health.

More than a dozen creators, with a combined 6 million followers, have committed to creating content about HIV treatment and prevention so far. One cohort of Latin American creators, including Gabriel Antonio, Markin Wolf, and Fabyian Grizzle, gathered in Jan. 2025 in Brazil. A European cohort, with stars like Pablo Bravo, Tony Silver, and Justin Jett, gathered in Barcelona in March 2026.

The stars are currently releasing content on their channels, as well as via MPact, as the campaign gears up for a presentation at the International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro this July.

View this post on Instagram

"Working with Mpact showed me how I can use my platform in the adult industry to encourage open conversations about sexual health, mental health, PrEP and HIV treatment and hopefully make a positive impact," Jett, an OnlyFans creator, said in a statement.

We followed up with Jett to explain why he wanted to get involved.

Why did you want to get involved with MPact’s Q Collab?

For me, getting involved with MPact’s Q Collab felt very natural because I’ve reached a point in my career where I want to use my platform for something bigger than entertainment. Through my work in the adult industry and my connection with the queer community, I’ve seen how many people still struggle with shame, stigma, mental health, loneliness, and even fear around sexual health.

I wanted to be part of something that creates community, encourages honest conversations, and reminds people that taking care of yourself should never be embarrassing.

What are the main messages you want to convey through the initiative?

The biggest message is that sexual health and mental health should be talked about openly and without judgment. I want people to understand that taking PrEP, getting tested, being on treatment, talking about HIV, or simply having conversations about sex, should be normalized. I also want to promote the idea that pleasure, confidence, and health can all exist together.

Another important message for me is community; reminding people they are not alone and that we need to support each other instead of judging each other.

SEE ALSO: New report: X remains the most dangerous platform for LGBTQ users How will you get those messages to your audience?

I think the best way is by being honest and authentic. My audience follows me not only because of the content I create but they also connect with me as a person on a human level.

You would be surprised with the number of messages I receive from people asking for different types of advice.

So, I want to use social media, interviews, collaborations, and everyday conversations to speak openly about these topics in a very human and approachable way. Sometimes, even a simple post saying, "I take care of myself, I get tested, I talk about sex openly" can make someone else feel less ashamed or more empowered to do the same.

There are still some people thinking taking PrEP or doxyPEP is just for "promiscuous" guys. Imagine, slut shaming someone for taking PrEP while the reality is all HIV-negative guys should be taking it and put their health in their own hands, there's nothing more powerful than that.

Do you think creators have a duty to produce content that educates their audience, rather than just entertains them?

I don’t think every creator has an obligation to become an educator, because entertainment is also valuable and important. And not all creators have the same skills for conveying messages or for public speaking and, fortunately, organizations like Mpact can help with developing key messages. But most importantly, the will to do it has to come from within.

But I do think that when you have a public platform and people listen to you, there’s an opportunity to create positive impact. Especially in industries like ours, where audiences often trust creators and relate to them personally, we can help normalize conversations that society still avoids.

If we can entertain people while also helping them feel safer, healthier, more informed, or less alone, then I think that’s something really powerful.

Right now, everyone watching Netflix is likely still reeling over The Boroughs or letting The Crashdocuseries sink in, but if you're quite ready to move on from those buzzy hits, a new month has brought a fresh roster of newly-added movies to the service for U.S. subscribers. And I'm here to help you sift through them with a few highlights.

Most drivers have experienced this unfortunate scenario at least once. You’re driving down the highway, minding your own business, when suddenly you find yourself behind a dump truck. Normally, this wouldn’t be a cause for concern, but this truck has just left the quarry and is filled to the brim with gravel. As it rumbles down the road, bits of gravel begin to pelt your car at 70 mph. You can hear the tiny stones bouncing off your paintwork.

Meta — the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — continues to integrate AI across its platform. Unfortunately, it appears the company overlooked a major flaw: Meta's AI support chatbot could apparently be tricked into providing unauthorized users with login access to any Instagram account.

Over the past few days, a number of highly followed Instagram accounts were hacked. The Obama White House Instagram account, with 2.4 million followers, was compromised and posted a caption on Sunday that stated: "The White House is under Shiites' control." Other accounts, such as the official Instagram account belonging to the Chief Master Sergeant of Space Force, were also hacked.

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Soon after, sleuths on social media began sharing the news of these hacked accounts along with screen captures showcasing the alleged method used to take them over. 

The hackers say they weaponized an exploit that tricked Meta's AI support chatbot into simply handing over account access. The bad actor would simply tell the AI chatbot that it needed to reset a targeted Instagram account's password. However, the hacker would also inform the chatbot that they needed the password reset email, which includes the verification code to change the password, sent to a new email address. 

The email address, of course, belonged to the hackers, not the true account holder. The chatbot would apparently oblige the hacker's request and provide them with the password reset page for the account.

In effect, the hackers were using a widely known social engineering tactic against an AI chatbot.

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Some of the screen captures walking through the process were pulled from Telegram channels where hackers sell their exploits on black markets. Other screen captures were taken by users who say they replicated the hack.

This vulnerability is especially concerning because there's nothing that the targeted Instagram account holders could do to prevent it. The AI chatbot was seemingly bypassing two-factor authentication measures to abide by the hacker's requests.

Since news of the hacked accounts went public on social media, Meta appears to have acknowledged and fixed the vulnerability.

Mashable contacted Meta with questions about this incident, and we will update this story if we receive more information. However, on social media, Meta VP of Communications Andy Stone acknowledged the Meta AI support exploit.

"This issue has been resolved and we are securing impacted accounts," Stone said in a reply to a user on X.

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It's unclear how many accounts were impacted by this exploit.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders announced today that he will introduce legislation to give the American public a direct ownership stake in the country's largest artificial intelligence companies.

Writing in the New York Times, Sanders laid out the case for the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act — a bill that would create a federally managed fund created not with cash, but with stock. Specifically, Sanders proposes a one-time transfer of 50 percent of equity from companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI to the government. The idea: since AI is built on the accumulated knowledge, creativity, conversations, and labor of the American people — typically without permission or payment — the American people deserve a cut of the profits.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: Elon Musk found the cheat code for capitalism. The SpaceX IPO proves it.

Here's what Sanders is proposing.

What the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act would accomplish

The fund would acquire half the stock of the largest AI companies in the country through a mandated equity transfer — Sanders is explicit that this is not a profits tax. The government would then hold voting shares and receive equal board representation at each company, giving it formal power to block decisions deemed harmful to the public.

Revenue generated by the fund would flow directly to Americans as cash payments, with Sanders indicating that, as the fund grows, proceeds would eventually support broader public goods, including healthcare, education, and housing. He points to Norway's sovereign wealth fund and Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend as working models of the concept.

Sanders' core argument is that AI models were built on the writing, art, journalism, code, and research produced by millions of people without their consent or compensation. Sanders argues that because the technology is derived from collective human output, the wealth it generates should be shared collectively. As Sanders prepares his legislation, AI industry leaders are prepping for a massive payday when Anthropic, OpenAI, and SpaceX (which recently merged with xAI) go public this year.

Sanders notes that versions of this idea have come from the AI industry itself. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has proposed a public wealth fund tied to AI-driven economic growth. Anthropic has called for national sovereign wealth funds holding AI equity stakes. Musk has advocated for a "universal high income" to offset AI-related job displacement.

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Sanders frames these industry positions as validation — though notably, endorsing a concept in the abstract and accepting a 50 percent equity transfer are very different things.

What's still unresolved

Sanders acknowledges the legislation is still being written. Several significant questions still lack answers.

Profitability is one. OpenAI is notoriously not profitable and has operated at a loss for most of its existence. A sovereign wealth fund built on equity in companies that aren't profitable doesn't generate dividends, and Sanders hasn't addressed what the fund looks like if the AI sector's financial trajectory doesn't match analyst projections.

Scope is another. Sanders says applying government ownership to companies where AI is only part of the business is "complicated," without explaining how that would be handled in practice. Microsoft, Google, and Amazon all have major AI operations — it's unclear whether or how they'd fall under the legislation.

Environmental impact gets no mention. AI infrastructure — data centers, energy consumption, water use — carries real costs that fall on communities that don't always benefit from generative AI, and the proposal offers no specific mechanism beyond the general promise of government oversight to address them.

SEE ALSO: The NAACP is fighting back against AI data centers

However, a well-structured sovereign wealth fund could distribute some AI wealth downward, in theory. Government board representation could also create some accountability for a powerful and fast-growing new industry. The populist proposal is far bolder than anything else in the current policy conversation.

Until the senator drops the actual legislation, what we have is a premise that's hard to argue with and a plan that's still very much a sketch.

It's the first of the month, which means Netflix has added a substantial number of new movies and shows. Some of the highlights include the Creed movies, Friday Night Lights, The Karate Kid franchise, and the first five seasons of Hawaii Five-0. Keep an eye on the new movies coming later this month, including Office Romance and Little Brother.

Summer vacation season is upon us. As you're packing your swimsuit and sunscreen, don't forget to pack your e-reader with plenty of summer reads. Luckily, Amazon just dropped its June First Reads lineup.

Prime members who also happen to be bookworms can maximize their monthly reading with the Amazon First Reads program. Similar to Book of the Month, every month, Amazon First Reads drops a new collection of discounted titles. However, unlike Book of the Month, these books are totally free for Prime Members. Here's everything you need to know about Amazon First Reads.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon First Reads   Learn More What is Amazon First Reads?

Amazon First Reads is a monthly program in which eight editor-selected books are offered free to Prime members. Members are allowed to choose one book per month, which is then added to their library. Non-Prime members can still join in on the fun, but they have to pay $1.99 per book.

Featured Amazon First Reads books are totally free at checkout for Prime members. Credit: Screenshot: Amazon / Mashable composite

Some months, like Prime Day's July (or June) and Black Friday's November, offer two free books. And in others, you can select a free short story with your one free e-book.

To select your book, visit the Amazon First Reads home page to browse the options. As a Prime Member, you'll see the option to "read now for free " when you go to purchase the titles. Once you make your selection, it'll automatically be added to your Kindle library.

Which books are featured in Amazon First Reads?

Among the eight to ten books selected each month, the book editors at Amazon provide a variety of genres for every reader. The books are typically new or soon-to-be-released books — many of the books are published under one of Amazon's publishing imprints, so they're exclusive to Amazon's shelves.

In addition to the eight full-length books offered each month, there's typically a short story available, too, exclusive to read through the Kindle Store. You'll find familiar names in the First Reads collections. Past authors include Abby Jimenez, Rebecca Yarros, Lee Child, Fredrik Backman, Alice Hoffman, and Dean Koontz.

Kindle Unlimited members are able to read most of the previous First Reads picks for free, so if there are multiple each month that you want to add to your digital bookshelf, consider a Kindle Unlimited membership.

June 2026 Amazon First Reads books The June First Reads deals include a short story from Lisa Unger and 'A Single Captive Flame,' the first book in a new fantasy series. Credit: Screenshot / Amazon

June's First Reads lineup is fairly extensive — Amazon must know everyone is putting together their summer reads. The June deals feature eight novels, one novella, and one short read. Plus, Amazon is letting readers pick not one but TWO books this month — all totally free.

This month's short read, The Same Room, comes from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger. The suspenseful short story details private investigator Rae Donovan, who, after a long estrangement from her father, discovers he may have had a secret life. In the wake of her father's death, Rae sets out to find answers, no matter what it costs.

But there are plenty more books to choose from, including a rare fantasy pick, A Single Captive Flame, which is the first book in the Rise of the Firebird series.

Here are all of the First Reads deals for June 2026:

• The Same Room by Lisa Unger

• The Sky Beneath Her by Mary Ellen Taylor

• A Voice in the Dark by Barbara Nickless

• The Tomorrow Tree by Carolyn Brown

• The Museum of Second Chances by Jo Leevers

• The Date by T.H. Murdock

• The Delivery: A Novella by Gregg Hurwitz

• Happier Here With You by Amy Gail Hansen

• What Remains of You by Kimberly Hensle Lowrance

• A Single Captive Spark by Emberly Ash

Do you need a Kindle for Amazon First Reads?

All of the books selected are technically purchased through the Kindle Store. But does that mean you need a Kindle to read them?

Nope! No Kindle e-reader is necessary to read books collected through First Reads. All books purchased through the Kindle Store are available in the Kindle app, which can be read on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

However, if you're asking if you should get a Kindle, that's a different question. While a Kindle is not required to enjoy the bounty of the Kindle store, it is our favorite e-reader brand if you're in the market.

Kindle Paperwhite $159.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Best Buy

Using Android Auto wirelessly is very convenient and cuts down on cable clutter, but it isn't perfect. The biggest issue is how heavy it can be on the battery. Obviously, it will never be able to match a wired connection that charges your phone as you go, but by tweaking a few settings, you can really reduce the battery drain.

You might think that hosting your own local photo server is a great way to save money instead of just paying for Google Photos. However, you'd be wrong. By the time you buy a NAS, storage, and pay for cloud backups, you'll be spending far more than Google charges you.