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

The UEFA Nations League action continues with another week of interesting matchups, including Turkey vs. Italy. The hosts are desperately looking to bounce back after a really disappointing summer. Italy didn't even qualify for the World Cup, so the only way is up for the Azzurri.

Both sides lost their opening games in this latest edition of the competition. That heaps the pressure on.

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

When is Turkey vs. Italy?

Turkey vs. Italy in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 28. This fixture takes place at the Centennial Atatürk Stadium.

How to watch Turkey vs. Italy for free

Turkey vs. Italy in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on RaiPlay.

RaiPlay is geo-restricted to Italy, 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 Italy, meaning you can live stream Turkey vs. Italy for free from anywhere in the world.

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

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit RaiPlay

5. Watch Turkey vs. Italy for free from anywhere in the world

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

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

What is the best VPN for RaiPlay?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including Italy

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

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

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

The UEFA Nations League provides plenty of opportunities to see top international sides battle it out. We've been blessed by a number of high-profile matchups since the competition restarted last week, and the action continues with Belgium vs. France.

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

When is Belgium vs. France?

Belgium vs. France in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 28. This fixture takes place at the King Baudouin Stadium.

How to watch Belgium vs. France for free

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

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

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

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

2. Download the app to your device of choice

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

4. Visit TF1

5. Watch Belgium vs. France for free from anywhere in the world

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

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

What is the best VPN for TF1?

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

• Servers in 105 countries, including France

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

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

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.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts 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

Taylor ___.

Hurdle Word 1 answer

SWIFT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

"I looked all over."

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SCOUR

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Clingy.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for September 28, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Sept. 28, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

NEEDY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Rubbish

Hurdle Word 4 answer

TRASH

Final Hurdle hint

Parched.

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

DRIED

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

The Full Moon has passed, but the Moon will still look almost completely lit tonight. It's now beginning to wane, although you probably won't notice much difference from the night before. Here's what you can spot on the lunar surface tonight.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Monday, Sept. 28, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon is in the Waning Gibbous phase, with 97% of its surface visible.

There's still so much to see tonight, including the Mare Imbrium, Mare Serenitatis, and Mare Tranquillitatis which can be spotted without visual aids. If you have binoculars, they'll also help you see the Clavius Crater, the Alphonsus Crater, and the Gassendi Crater. Finally, if you have access to a telescope, you'll see the Apollo 12 and 16 landing spots, plus the Rima Caucasus Mountains.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will take place on October 25 or 26, depending on your timezone.

What are Moon phases?

The Moon goes through a repeating cycle as it orbits Earth, taking roughly 29.5 days to complete. During that time, the amount of its sunlit side visible from Earth changes, giving us the different lunar phases. It starts with a slim crescent, grows to a half Moon and eventually reaches the Full Moon, before beginning the cycle again. NASA explains that which phase we see depends on where the Moon is in relation to Earth and the Sun.

The eight phases are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There's a unique heartbreak to realizing our parents aren't who we imagined. A Long Winter is about that agony, and how one might grow from it.

From English writer/director Andrew Haigh (Weekend, All of Us Strangers) A Long Winter centers on a quietly queer protagonist, who comes to understand himself and what he wants through the hard, cold lesson of who his parents really are. And the result is elegant in its heartbreak.

SEE ALSO: TIFF 2026 preview: 18 films (and shows) you'll want to see (and how) What is A Long Winter About?  Fred Hechinger and Ebon Moss-Bachrach in "A Long Winter." Credit: TIFF

Adapted from Colm Tóibín's short story of the same name, A Long Winter is set in the brutally cold mountains of Colorado, during the early 1950s. There, despite the hard work of maintaining the house and farm animals, Mike (Fear Street's Fred Hechinger) enjoys a rather blissful existence, relishing the time with his younger brother (Heartstopper's Kit Connor), his mother (Outlander's Caitríona Balfe), and father (The Bear's Ebon Moss-Bachrach). However, once his brother takes a job far away, Mike witnesses another side of his parents, one tarnished by regret and recrimination.

As another winter approaches, his mother Louise's smiles turn to snarls. Her empty water glass reeks of alcohol, and her fury at her hard-headed husband Lester boils over. One day, she wanders off with their dog, Sandy. Hours later, a blizzard turns the familiar hills to treacherous, frigid white. Where did she go? Could she have survived?

Featured Video For You Andrew Garfield on the meaning of 'no kings' in 'The Uprising'

For months, Mike will seek her out in the not-so-near town, an abandoned mine, the home of his posh uncle (a terrifically festering Martin Freeman), and again and again in the long, blank expanse of the mountain. 

In his search, he has time and space to reflect, and so comes across a better understanding of who his mother was, who his father is, and what he wants for his own life. Mike also makes a new acquaintance in Jimmy (Reservation Dogs' D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai), an abandoned teen Lester brings on to do the "women's work" on the property that neither he nor his son has any talent for. 

Fred Hechinger delivers his best performance yet in A Long Winter.  Fred Hechinger in "A Long Winter." Credit: TIFF

Hechinger first hit my radar in 2021, playing the chaotically charismatic Simon in Fear Street: Part One - 1994. Where others in the film had to deliver the horror of the slasher's slaughters, Simon was reliably and warmly the comic relief. Hechinger brought Matthew Lillard vibes, offering an unapologetically gawky confidence and sharp comedic timing. 

From there, he'd earn praise for his role as Quinn on White Lotus Season 1. Then, in 2024, he popped up in a string of movies, taking on wildly different supporting roles. In Thelma, he was a doting grandson. In Nickel Boys, he was a friendly face amid a squadron of abusive school staffers. Gladiator II gave him a chance to play a villain, opposite his onscreen twin emperor Joseph Quinn. Then, in Kraven the Hunter, he played the title character's demure younger brother, Dmitri "Chameleon" Smerdyakov, who used his power to sing like Harry Styles, Ozzy Osbourne, and Tony Bennett. 

Simply put, Hechinger has swiftly established himself as an actor who is exciting at every appearance, because you never know where he might go. 

In A Long Winter, Hechinger packs away his goofy grin and playfulness for a more restrained yet brilliantly alive performance. In the first act, Mike recounts to his brother about how, when he went away for contracted work, he missed home, reminiscing in his childhood bed about his family and the meals his mother made. In these scenes, his voice has a folksy touch, while his word choice is simple. But after weeks without his mother and months without his brother, with Jimmy in the bed beside him, Mike's accent has softened, and he'll use words like "cope," which feel out of place in his father's idea of mountain masculinity. These simple diction shifts reflect how Mike's vision for himself has become less reliant on his father's example, even as his is the only one around. 

Frustratingly, Moss fumbles in his role as the tough guy, much like he did in Broadway's Dog Day Afternoon. His bluster feels flaccid, making the years his wife submitted to his demands a bit perplexing. In scenes where Moss and Hechinger face off, A Long Winter struggles when the former cannot match the latter in onscreen intensity, even though the younger actor is playing openness rather than rage.

Hechinger, who has been a stellar supporting player, proves his leading man chops by shouldering A Long Winter in scenes of delicate dialogue, earnest confrontation, and moments alone, where it's just Mike and the wilderness that has likely consumed his lost and loved mother. 

A Long Winter works as a sister film All of Us Strangers.  Caitríona Balfe and Ebon Moss-Bachrach in "A Long Winter." Credit: TIFF

Make no mistake, A Long Winter won't be as gut-wrenching or as hot as Haigh's last film. Yet both share a common core. Both center on a gay man learning to trust himself and his desire, while making sense of who his parents are or were. The intensity of All of Us Strangers perfectly encapsulates the first stage of such scary journeys, enhanced by the ghost story elements that make the film a soft horror movie. 

In A Long Winter, the arc is less rigorous because Mike — unlike Andrew Scott's hero — is not alone. All of Us Strangers plays, in some respects, like a haunted house movie because of its protagonist's isolation. While Haigh will bring in some surreal and spooky elements to A Long Winter, it's not horror. Instead, he lets the reality of a scene bend to reflect the yearning of his hero, who's coming to realize that death — like winter — is a part of life that is unavoidable, but not inherently bad. 

There's a profound maturity in Haigh's latest, as he trusts Hechinger to infuse mood and growth without genre flourishes or the actor's signature mirth. Keen performances by Balfe, Freeman, and Woon-A-Tai bolster their vision of this world, cold but wondrous. It is not a tearjerker, but a rapturous and meditative look at growing up and growing into ourselves. 

A Long Winter was reviewed out its Canadian Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It will open in NYC on Dec. 4, then in select U.S. theaters Jan. 27, 2027.

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Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who like the SEC.

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: Animals in the SEC

• Green: Fantasy

• Blue: QBs

• Purple: Hidden WNBA teams

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: An SEC Athlete

• Green: Fantasy Football Apps

• Blue: NFL QBs Drafted in Second Round

• Purple: Ends in a WNBA Team

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 #731 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• An SEC Athlete: BULLDOG, GATOR, RAZORBACK, TIGER

• Fantasy Football Apps: ESPN, FANTRAX, SLEEPER, YAHOO

• NFL QBs Drafted in Second Round: DALTON, HURTS, LOCK, SHOUGH

• Ends in a WNBA Team: DAYDREAM, GRIMACES, HUSKY, THUNDERSTORM

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.

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

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 September 28, 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 September 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for September 28 Pips

Less than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically.

Number (10): Everything in this purple space must add up to 10. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 5-2, placed vertically.

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for September 28 Pips

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

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

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

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 4-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (18): Everything in this space must be greater than 18. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Less than (8): Everything in this space must be less than 8. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for September 28 Pips

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

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

Number (7): Everything in this red space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically.

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (14): Everything in this space must be greater than 14. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed vertically.

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

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 28, 2026 Challenger meaning

A person or thing that competes against a current titleholder to win a prize.

Charger meaning

A device used to put electrical energy back into a rechargeable battery..

Durango meaning

A state in northern Mexico.

Viper meaning

A venomous snake with long fangs.

Horseradish meaning

A perennial root vegetable from the mustard family.

Lemon meaning

A round, yellow and sour citrus fruit.

Mignonette meaning

A tangy condiment made with vinegar, shallots and black pepper. It's typically served with oysters.

Tabasco meaning

An American brand of hot sauce made from tabasco chili peppers, salt and vinegar.

Bamboo meaning

A tall, fast-growing tropical plant with hard, hallow stems.

Celery meaning

A crunchy green vegetable with long, fibrous stems.

Corn meaning

A tall cereal plant that produces edible yellow kernels.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Wheat meaning

A cereal grain from grass.

Arkansans meaning

A Midwestern US stat, known as "The Natural State."

Chihuahua meaning

A tiny dog breed.

Possesses meaning

To have or to own something.

Springing meaning

Jumping or moving quickly.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

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

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

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

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

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

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 September 28, 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: Jack and the bean___

• Green: Seafood

• Blue: Cars

• Purple: Philosophical symbols

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Things with stalks

• Green: Oyster condiments

• Blue: Dodge models

• Purple: Three letters plus repeated trigrams

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 #1204 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things with stalks: BAMBOO, CELERY, CORN, WHEAT

• Oyster condiments: HORSERADISH, LEMON, MIGNONETTE, TABASCO

• Dodge models: CHALLENGER, CHARGER, DURANGO, VIPER

• Three letters plus repeated trigrams: ARKANSNS, CHIHUAHUA, POSSESSES, SPRINGING

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

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

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints will be easy if you're a creative.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for September 28, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: A form of art

The words are related to art.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe creative mediums.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Sculpture.

NYT Strands word list for September 28

• Soapstone

• Glass

• Marble

• Sculpture

• Wood

• Clay

• Bronze

• Steel

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

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a tree hugger.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 28, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for September 28, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Stem.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No, there are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

TRUNK

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

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

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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

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

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

Linux Mint has a reputation for being the friendly face of Linux and the perfect first step. The one people point to when they say switching from Windows is easier than you'd think. I believed that for a while. I installed it on my Lenovo IdeaPad Y70, got comfortable, and figured I'd finally made the jump for good. What followed was about a year of regretting that choice entirely, and I would take it back if I could. I wish more people told you what to expect when you switch from Windows to Linux.

I didn’t expect to get this attached to Android Auto, but here we are.

I love reading. My home is stuffed full of books, and so are my eReaders. The problem is that with so many great books to read, I find it hard to finish the book I'm on before I start the next one. I ended up adding a small script to my jailbroken Kindle that stops me from opening any other books until I've finished the one I'm reading.

It's business as usual for Netflix, as the streamer continues to put out new movies this month. Unabomber, a new thriller about the life of Ted Kaczynski, shot straight to No. 1 on Netflix. I expect that movie to stay at No. 1 for at least the next week.

Remember when the most expensive consumer GPUs in the world actually melted? Or, most of the time, when their connectors melted? I do too. But it's not a thing of the past.

TL;DR: Learn how to get more out of Claude with the Claude AI Professional E-Degree, on sale for $14.97 (reg. $49) through Sept. 29.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eduonix Learning Solutions Claude AI Professional E-Degree $14.97
$159 Save $144.03   Get Deal

More companies are building their workflows around Claude, and Forbes reports it has become the enterprise favorite. That shift can feel like one more thing to keep up with, but it can also be an opening. Knowing how to get strong results from Claude could make you the go-to person on your team when questions come up, and this four-course bundle can help guide you there for $14.97 (reg. $49). That breaks down to less than $4 per course.

The courses come from Eduonix Learning Solutions, a team of industry professionals who teach technology the way it’s used on the job. You get over 8 hours of video lessons that start with the basics and progress to more advanced material. It fits whether you’ve only asked Claude a handful of questions or already use it every day.

Here’s what the lessons cover

• Writing more effective prompts and building chain-of-thought workflows

• AI-assisted coding and debugging techniques

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• Hands-on projects for marketing workflows, AI websites, and automated systems

The project work is where you turn your learning into action. Instead of watching someone else use the tool, you’ll build things that mirror the tasks you’d actually hand off to Claude at work. Quizzes along the way show you what’s sticking, and you’ll earn a professional eDegree certification when you finish.

It’s a great low-effort way for developers, freelancers, creators, and entrepreneurs who want to move beyond basic chats and into AI use that saves real time. The material is split into four modules so that you can take them one at a time.

Get the Claude AI Professional E-Degree for $14.97 (reg. $49) through Sept. 29.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

A PC desk setup is like an iceberg: on the surface, it looks good, but beneath it lies much more. The hidden portion usually consists of messy cables and wires leading to various ports and outlets.

I’ve used OneNote for years, which apparently gave me just enough confidence to assume I knew what I was doing. I have notebooks for work, random ideas, recipes, travel plans, and all the little things I swear I’ll come back to later.

I never disliked working in the Linux terminal. In fact, I always look around for different terminal tricks to save time and make me more productive. I also like to customize the terminal to make it look stunning. Out of so many ways to upgrade the terminal, these are the tools I chose to get the best of both worlds.