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TL;DR: Build a Lego Star Wars N-1 Starfighter and take it home with you for free on May 2-4.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego: Free N-1 Starfighter for Star Wars Day   Learn More

Lego regularly runs make and take events, providing an opportunity for participants to walk away with an exclusive build for free. We've made noise about a number of these free giveaways over the years, but nothing gets the people going like free Star Wars Lego.

Lego is once again celebrating Star Wars Day by offering an exclusive mini build for free. Visitors to select Lego Stores around the world can build and bring home a model Star Wars N-1 Starfighter for free. This event is intended for participants aged 10+ years, and the model is available on a first-come-first-serve basis, at participating locations, while supplies last. Warning: These free models are going to go quickly.

For the UK and Ireland, this event is live from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on May 2 and 12-2 p.m. on May 3. In other parts of the world, this event extends to May 4. There's no official page for the US and Canada just yet, but we're expecting something to go live any day now. We'll update this page with official timings as soon as we see them.

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The free model depicts the Mandalorian’s second ship with Grogu. You're obviously not getting the same level of detail as the new 1,809-piece Lego Star Wars The Mandalorian’s N-1 Starfighter, but it's a seriously fun collectible that money cannot buy. What's not to love?

The only catch is that you are limited to one build per participant. You can't just turn up and stock up.

Celebrate Star Wars Day in style with a free N-1 Starfighter from Lego.

TL;DR: Watch One Piece for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Anime fans are often forced into one of two camps: Those who pay a lot of cash to subscribe to a number of streaming platforms and those who rely on dodgy streams from dark corners of the online world. It doesn't need to be this way. There are legitimate streaming platforms out there with enormous banks of anime content, just waiting for you to binge.

BBC iPlayer might not be the first name you think of when it comes to anime, but this popular service hosts literally thousands of episodes from the One Piece anime series. It's also a great place to access free Pokémon content. Who knew?

If you're interested in watching One Piece for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to watch One Piece for free

Over 1,000 episodes from the One Piece anime series are available to watch for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but you can access this free service from abroad with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock BBC iPlayer to watch One Piece from anywhere in the world.

Stream One Piece 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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream One Piece for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking streaming sites are not free, but they do tend to offer free trials and money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch One Piece without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you time to binge everything on offer before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for accessing free streams on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as platforms like Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and routers

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Watch One Piece for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

As one of the oldest and largest online dating sites, AdultFriendFinder has a massive community of singles and non-monogamous kinksters looking for fun, but that doesn’t mean using the site is easy. On the contrary, a lot of their web interface seems dated and counterintuitive, with key features or functions buried under multiple menus and sub-menus. 

Getting the most out of this site requires some trial and error, or at least an experienced guide, which is why we’ve got four essential tips to help you improve your AFF experience and connect with more people. That being said, it also helps to keep an open mind. If you enter your AFF experience with a narrow idea of exactly what you want, you’ll quickly find yourself disappointed. But if you start your search from a place of curiosity and allow yourself to be surprised, you may just discover new things about yourself in the process.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More

Here are four essential steps for getting the most out of your AdultFriendFinder experience:

Fill out your full AFF profile 

Sure, this is an obvious step with every online dating service, but it’s even more important on AFF, since the site doesn’t entirely rely on a carousel-style presentation of dating profiles. Everything from your age to your gender to your sexuality to your list of personal kinks can help make you more discoverable to other AFF members, so the less you fill out, the harder it is for the site to make your profile discoverable. 

This is true even if your personal kink list is short or leans towards the conventional, or if it’s exhaustive and leans towards the exotic; trust us when we say there are people out there looking for whatever combination of quirks and kinks makes up your sexuality, so taking your time to be precise here can pay serious dividends in the long run.

SEE ALSO: Is Hinge really 'designed to be deleted'? I tested it to find out.

Also, don’t sleep on videos. Unlike many dating sites that allow only photos, AFF allows its members to upload short videos to their profile. This can be a fantastic way of not only showing others that you’re a real person but also highlighting your personality in a different way. You can also speak on some aspect of your personality that isn’t covered by the generic profile options.

Verify your AFF account as soon as possible

AdultFriendFinder throws up very few barriers to account creation. That makes it very easy for anyone to make an account, but it also means there is a large amount of spam and bot accounts lingering on the site. To combat this, they’ve also created a profile verification system using the Confirm ID service. 

You will need to be comfortable sharing government ID with the site, but the benefits to your profile are massive: photo authentication, age confirmation, and location verification, all of which help others trust that your profile is authentic. When you complete the process, your profile will receive a blue checkmark underneath your profile photo, to the right of your username, which not only helps people identify your profile at a glance but also boosts your visibility in the search results, as preference is given to verified users.

Be selective with your search criteria

If you do opt to use the site’s search function, you’ll quickly realize that you can be extremely selective in who you do and don’t include. And if you know exactly who and what you want, by all means, narrow your search, but if you’re on AFF to be surprised, it’s also worth being less selective from time to time.

For example, if you know you want an in-person date for next week, it obviously makes sense to narrow your location search to people who live near you. But what if you don’t know exactly what you want, or if you’re open to a sultry chat with a stranger half a world away? In that case, distance is irrelevant and you should consider turning that filter off.

SEE ALSO: All your Tinder questions, answered

On the other hand, there are quite a few filters that are turned off by default that we actually recommend you turn on. For example, the default profile filter shows you all people who have bothered to upload photos, but while that’s a good start, it’s not enough to help you wade through the huge number of users. We strongly recommend searching by Verified/Confirmed users, since those people all proved their identity the same way you did (see previous step), by uploading government-issued identification. 

Another good filter to use is the Last Visit, which by default is set to "All." Because so many people create an account but rarely check it, or go inactive for weeks or months at a time for any number of reasons, it’s a good idea to hone in on accounts that have been active in the last month, as otherwise you risk never hearing back from the people you message. 

Explore the live-chat communities

AdultFriendFinder isn’t a traditional dating website, so you shouldn’t use it like one. The search-and-swipe dating app method is tried and true, but it’s also a bit played out, and one of AFF’s biggest strengths is its larger community offerings.

You can explore its many forums, organized around common interests, or you can venture into a user’s live stream and interact with them and others there. AFF even has a dedicated Stories section, where users can share their memories or try their hand at writing erotica. If this is a talent of yours, you can easily attract people to your profile through your writing, or if you’re a more visual person, you can always host your own webcam stream and see who tunes in. 

For all of the above, AFF tracks not only which stories/streams/group chats are new but also those that are trending, which makes it very easy to jump into a popular discussion or keep up with the latest site news.

Upgrade your AFF membership tier

Unfortunately, it has to be said: you really can’t get the most out of AFF without a paid membership. It is possible to use the site and interact with others without giving them your credit card information, but the site’s best features and functions are all restricted to paying customers, and the advantages in terms of profile visibility, communication options and site functionality are all too great to ignore.

Not only do Gold and VIP members receive special icons on their profiles, but these profiles are given priority in every search, based on any criteria, and because there are thousands of potential profile options for almost every search criteria that isn’t location-based, it’s very difficult to stand out from the crowd as a basic user of the site. 

Additionally, if you opt for the upgraded VIP membership, you’ll unlock an entire section dedicated exclusively to VIPs, which is a bit like entering the velvet-roped area of a night club; it’s where all the most glamorous people are hiding. VIP members even get additional points to spend on digital gifts or lavish on live streamers who catch your attention, which is another great way of standing out from the crowd. 

The learning curve on AdultFriendFinder is steeper than most other dating sites, and much steeper than most dating apps, but if you follow the above tips and are willing to experiment with its vast array of offerings, you’ll encounter more than a few fun surprises along the way. 

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites like xHamster with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Your access to porn sites like xHamster is not guaranteed in many locations around the world. There are obvious and legitimate reasons for online restrictions, but there is also something to be said for retaining your right to online freedom. When the time is right, you should be able to access your favorite sites without hassle.

Fortunately, it's possible to bypass content restrictions in a few simple steps. f you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like xHamster for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock xHamster for free

VPNs are tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions to secure access to porn sites like xHamster from anywhere in the world. It sounds complicated, but the process is actually really simple.

Unblock xHamster by following these steps:

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 a location that supports access to xHamster

4. Unblock xHamster

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling to a location without access to your favorite sites.

If you want to retain permanent access to free porn sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for bypassing online restrictions is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like xHamster, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming 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 a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Unblock xHamster for free with ExpressVPN.

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 Wednesday, April 22, 2026:

AcrossIt's clearly recyclable!

• The answer is Glass.

___ Day (April 22nd observance)

• The answer is Earth.

Thick, underground part of a plant stem

• The answer is Tuber.

Small cluster of trees

• The answer is Grove.

Rowed, as a boat

• The answer is Oared.

DownFrom the ___ (right at the beginning)

• The answer is Getgo.

Author Ingalls Wilder who wrote "Little House on the Prairie"

• The answer is Laura.

___ Day, observance on the last Friday of April

• The answer is Arbor.

Actor Buscemi

• The answer is Steve.

Rip into bits, as paper

• The answer is Shred.

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.

TL;DR: Amazon has the LG 52-inch UltraGear evo G9 curved gaming monitor on sale for $1,699.99, down from its $1,999.99 list price. That saves you $300 on the world's largest 5K2K gaming display, with a 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 52-inch Ultragear evo G9 5K2K $1,699.99 at Amazon
$1,999.99 Save $300 Get Deal

If you've been after a gaming monitor upgrade that will match your dream giant setup, Amazon has an LG deal that will save you a few hundred dollars.

As of April 22, the LG 52-inch UltraGear evo G9 curved gaming monitor is on sale for $1,699.99 at Amazon, marked down from $1,999.99. That's $300 off and the lowest price this model has hit on Amazon since launch — as confirmed using price tracker camelcamelcamel.

For that price, you're getting a genuinely one-of-a-kind display with what LG promises is the world's largest 5K2K gaming monitor, packing a 5120x2160 WUHD resolution across a massive 52-inch curved VA panel. 

With a height comparable to a 42-inch 4K 16:9 screen, the ultrawide cinematic scale makes anything you’re playing even more immersive. The aggressive 1,000R curve is designed to pull more of the screen into your natural field of view, which makes it a particularly strong fit for sprawling open-world games like Crimson Desert or story-driven RPGs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Pragamata.

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The specs on the UltraGear evo G9 hold up on the performance side courtesy of this monitor’s 240Hz refresh rate and 1ms (GtG) response time, which means fast-paced shooters like Marathon and Fortnite are well within reach. Meanwhile, AMD FreeSync Premium takes care of screen tearing when things get a tad more hectic.

Plus, this monitor’s VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification and up to 95% DCI-P3 color coverage round things out, keeping contrast and color well above what you'd expect from a gaming panel at any size — the same goes if you want to utilize a monitor of this size to watch TV and movies.

If you’re willing to make the jump to OLED for a concession on size, the 45-inch LG UltraGear OLED gaming monitor is also on sale at $400 off. Among smaller monitors, you can also grab the 27-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 gaming monitor for only $699.99.

SAVE $100: As of April 22, the Roku 55-inch Smart TV is on sale for $249.99 at Amazon. That's a 29% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roku Roku 55-inch Smart TV $249.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $100   Get Deal

If your current TV isn’t quite cutting it anymore, now is a great time to upgrade because the Roku Smart TV 55-inch is back on sale at Amazon and it's only $1 off its best-ever price. As of April 22, this great TV is reduced by $100, down from $349.99 to $249.99.

This Roku TV gives you 4K resolution with HDR10 for incredible details and color across everything you watch. And it doesn't just show you great content, it has a built-in picture processor that helps to optimize whatever you’re watching.

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Unsurprisingly, the TV runs on the Roku platform. This means you have access to a wide range of streaming apps (Netflix, Prime Video, and more) as well as over 500 free live TV channels. And better yet, it's all organized on a simple, customizable home screen.

This TV also supports voice control through Roku Voice, Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant, and it comes with a voice remote for looking up queries online or even searching through several streaming platforms for your favorite movie. It also has shortcut buttons and a remote finder function that keeps track of its location through the Roku app.

You can find this TV deal at Amazon right now.

SAVE $100: As of April 22, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 17% off the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin Forerunner 965 $499.86 at Amazon
$599.99 Save $100.13   Get Deal

If you're in the market for a new fitness tracker to assist your running, you truly can't go wrong with anything from the Forerunner range.

As the name suggests, this collection of smartwatches is dedicated to running, providing incredible stats and tools to help you reach your goals. And as of April 22, one of the best models, the Garmin Forerunner 965, is discounted by $100 at Amazon. This brings the price down from $599 to $499.

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This watch has a bright, AMOLED touchscreen display (alongside the traditional button controls). It has a long battery life, capable of lasting up to 23 days in smartwatch mode or around 31 hours with GPS enabled. If you're training for an ultra distance, this watch won't leave you stranded.

It also has built-in full-color maps and multi-band GPS to help assist you with accurate tracking for routes, even in difficult or remote environments. And training features are advanced too. Expect specs like training readiness score, daily suggested workouts, detailed training status, sleep scores, and more. It also supports a range of sports tracking, including triathlon and multisport modes.

This Garmin deal is available at Amazon right now, so don't miss out.

SAVE $20: As of April 22, the Google TV Streamer 4K is on sale for $79.99 at Amazon. That's a 20% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google TV Streamer 4K $79.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $20   Get Deal

The Google Streamer 4K is back on sale at Amazon, so if you've been looking for a streaming device to transform the way you watch TV, this is your chance to buy for less. As of April 22, this device is down to $79.99 from $99.99, saving you $20.

This streaming stick supports up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision for incredible picture quality. It can also be paired with compatible speakers for a more immersive Dolby Atmos sound.

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It's powered by an upgraded processor with 32GB of storage, so there is plenty of memory space for apps and games. With the streaming device, you'll also get a remote which has recently been redesigned. It includes voice control for searching content and managing smart home devices as well as a customizable button for quick access to favourite features.

And of course, with this device you'll have access to the Google TV platform which makes your TV much more streamlined, as well as giving you easy access to all the most popular streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video. The platform also includes over 800 free live TV channels.

Get this streaming deal at Amazon now.

Apple TV and A24's Margo's Got Money Troubles is chugging its way through Rufi Thorpe's novel, but one key character is missing. Where is JB?

SEE ALSO: 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' review: An alien OnlyFans is the highlight of Apple's family dramedy

In the book, JB is one of Margo's (Elle Fanning) loyal OnlyFans clients. The two strike up an online correspondence that goes beyond Margo's typical gimmick of rating customers' penises and comparing them to Pokémon. Soon, their messages turn into long emails, then phone calls, then an in-person meeting and romantic relationship.

Before the relationship takes off in earnest, there's a bit of drama about how Margo gives JB a fake name and fake information about herself in order to keep crafting her online persona. When the two fight about it, Margo debates giving back all the money JB paid her in order to show him her feelings are real. Originally, Thorpe wrote that Margo would give back the money, but consultations with real-life sex workers changed her mind.

"Pretty universally, sex workers were like, 'No. That’s implying it was wrong to take the money. She earned that money. She did a good job, she created the fantasy. That is an admission of fault that is not right,'" Thorpe told The Hollywood Reporter in an April 2026 interview. "And I was like, 'OK, you are correct, and I hadn’t thought about it.'"

Margo's burgeoning connection with JB is a prominent story thread in the novel, but we're now at the halfway mark of the book's TV adaptation, and JB is nowhere in sight. According to a casting announcement in Deadline in May of 2025, Michael Workéyè was cast in the role of JB. However, in the same April 2026 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Thorpe revealed that the love story with JB had been cut.

"They tried to keep all of the JB love story, but there was just too much material," Thorpe told The Hollywood Reporter. "It was really jarring to move from some of the more dramatic moments to flirting on your phone. They’re not in the same room together, and you can do that kind of thing in novels but it just didn't translate to the screen. We tried to make it work, but it’s just too different a medium."

That means Margo's romance won't be appearing in the remaining episodes, but on the bright side, that frees up more time to focus on the rest of her support network, including her mother Shyanne (Michelle Pfeiffer), her father Jinx (Nick Offerman), her roommate Susie (Thaddea Graham), and her OnlyFans collaborators KC (Rico Nasty) and Rose (Lindsey Normington).

Margo's Got Money Troubles is now streaming on Apple TV, with a new episode every Wednesday.

As you advance in your career, deciding where to focus your development becomes harder, not easier. You’re pulled between competing priorities, feedback, and new expectations. Without a clear way to evaluate what actually matters, you risk investing in the wrong areas. A better approach is to step back and diagnose your situation by asking four key questions.   What does success require […]

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The Moon is showing more each night as we work through the lunar cycle. It's currently day give of the cycle, so it will keep appearing bigger and brighter until we reach the Full Moon in May.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Wednesday, April 22, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. Tonight, 30% of the moon will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Guide.

If you're looking at the Moon with just your naked eye, you should be able to catch a glimpse of the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis. If you have binoculars, the Endymion and Posidonius Craters should come into view. And, finally, with a telescope you'll see all this plus the Apollo 17 landing spot.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon is predicted to take place on May 1, the first of two in May.

What are Moon phases?

NASA says that the Moon completes a full orbit around Earth in about 29.5 days, during which it passes through eight stages. Although the same face of the Moon is always turned toward us, the portion illuminated by the Sun shifts as it travels along its path, producing the familiar cycle of full, half, and crescent shapes. These variations are referred to as lunar phases, and there are eight altogether:

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.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

If you’ve never dabbled in sexting, now's the time to give it a bash (so to speak).

Trust us when we say that sexting opens up a whole world of possibilities for your sex life. It’s not just about talking dirty — it’s about building anticipation for the sexy main event. Let's be clear about what we're saying here: Don't just slide into someone's DMs uninvited with sexy talk via a dating app. Though you can definitely do that on AdultFriendFinder, which exists for that very purpose. There are other apps for sexting, too. Sure, the idea of first-time sexting and navigating all the apps seems intimidating. But that why we’re here to help and recommend the best apps for sexting — apps that are purpose-built for digital flirtations and foreplay.

Mashable dating experts have put dozens of these platforms to the test. Which means you can rely on our knowledge in this particular area. Using expert research, our choices are based on various key features, including end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and screenshot detection — all essential for safe sexting fun. Don't forget that when it comes to sexting, you must always consider privacy, safety, and consent.

After all, if you believe in safe sex — and you really should — it's a no brainer to also practice safe sexting. So, with that all said and understood, here’s a selection of the very best sexting apps available right now.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition requires some knowledge of sports locations and women's sports — and those are your first two hints.

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: Part of a name

• Green: Part of the American Football Conference

• Blue: You don't want to cross these fans

• Purple: Scorers who went all the way

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Words Used in MLB Stadium Names

• Green: AFC North Cities

• Blue: Eagles

• Purple: Players To Score in a Women's World Cup Final

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 #576 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Words Used in MLB Stadium Names — CENTRE, FIELD, PARK, STADIUM

• AFC North Cities — BALTIMORE, CINCINNATI, CLEVELAND, PHILADELPHIA

• Eagles — BOSTON COLLEGE, CRYSTAL PALACE, MARQUETTE, PHILADELPHIA

• Players To Score in a Women's World Cup Final — HEATH, HOLIDAY, LAVELLE, RAPINOE

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 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 April 22, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for April 22, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for April 22 Pips

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

Number (20): Everything in this red space must add up to 20. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically; and 5-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Every domino half in this light blue space must have 2 pips. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally.

Number (1): The domino half in this yellow space must have 1 pip. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): The domino half in this dark blue space must have more than 2 pips. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for April 22 Pips

Equal (4): Every domino half in this purple space must have 4 pips. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Every domino half in this red space must have 0 pips. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically; 0-4, placed vertically.

Less Than (3): The domino half in this light blue space must have less than 3 pips. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally.

Number (4): Everything in this yellow space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Every domino half in this dark blue space must have 4 pips. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 1-4, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (4): The domino half in this green space must have more than 4 pips. The answer is 5-3, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for April 22 Pips

Equal (1): Every domino half in this purple space must have 1 pip. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 1-6, placed horizontally.

Equal (6): Every domino half in this red space must have 6 pips. The answer is 1-6, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed vertically; and 6-0, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Every domino half in this light blue space must have 0 pips. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this yellow space must add up to be less than 2. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 0-3, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Every domino half in this dark blue space must have 4 pips. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 4-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): The domino half in this green space must have more than 2 pips. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Every domino half in this purple space must have 2 pips. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): The domino half in this red space must have more than 2 pips. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.

Equal (3): Every domino half in this light blue space must have 3 pips. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 3-5, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (2): The domino half in this yellow space must have more than 2 pips. The answer is 3-5, placed horizontally.

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love action movies.

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.

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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.

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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.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 22, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Ceramics

• Green: To hit

• Blue: Heteronyms

• Purple: To collect

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Pottery equipment

• Green: Wallop

• Blue: Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns

• Purple: Pick-up ___

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 #1046 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Pottery equipment: CLAY, GLAZE, KILN, WHEEL

• Wallop: DECK, PUNCH, SLUG, SOCK

• Words pronounced different ways as proper nouns: HERB, NICE, POLISH, READING

• Pick-up ___: ARTIST, GAME, STICKS, TRUCK

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 April 22, 2026

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

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're an environmentalist.

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 April 22, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Earth Day

The words are related to protection.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe preserving the planet.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Conservation.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

NYT Strands word list for April 22

• Reduce

• Conservation

• Recycle

• Refill

• Reuse

• Donate

• Repair

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 loud sleeper.

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 April 22, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for April 22, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Loud noise during sleep.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Mashable 101 Fan Fave: Nominate your favorite creators today

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SNORE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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

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

Rufus has always been one of the best apps to create a bootable USB drive for installing Windows 11. The latest version of the app now includes even more features to significantly de-bloat Windows 11 and remove Microslop before installing the operating system. The update even introduces a new “Silent” mode for unattended installation.

On Jan. 13, 2026, Veronica Roth published a newsletter entitled "Do I Like It? Reflecting on Divergent After 15 Years," in which she addresses just how she feels about her bestselling Divergent series. Despite selling over 32 million copies worldwide and launching a series of film adaptations, the negative reception often rings loudest. The series ending is divisive among fans, and as Roth aptly says on Substack, "Your brain is good at keeping you safe by storing negative experiences."

And despite publishing 10 books outside of the series, readers still come back to Divergent, with Roth saying in her newsletter: "And the people who hated Divergent? They really hated it, and often go out of their way to tell me why…whenever I try to talk about any new work. Or old work. Or any work."

Yet, the author has not ceased writing. Seek the Traitor's Son, the first book in a new romantic dystopian fantasy series by Roth, is coming May 12, 2026. But maybe more surprisingly, it's not the only series Roth has coming this year because on Oct. 6, 2026, the Divergent series continues with The Sixth Faction, the first in a new duology.

At BookCon 2026, Roth announced the series to her fandom after keeping the long-held secret. But it's neither a sequel nor a prequel to her original series; instead, it's an alternate universe in which the heroine, Beatrice Prior, makes a different choice at her Choosing Ceremony.

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We had the chance to sit down with Roth at BookCon 2026 to hear about her new fantasy series and just how she feels about Divergent with the announcement of The Sixth Faction.

Samantha Mangino: How are you feeling about the 15th anniversary of Divergent?

 Veronica Roth: I feel good about it. Writing [The Sixth Faction] books, because they're both done, really did help me to like feel more positively about the series. It doesn't like bother me as much when people talk to me about Divergent because I don't feel like I'm stuck in the past, because I'm writing something new, so it feels like we're talking about what I'm doing now instead of what I was doing when I was 24, which is more restorative, regenerative, and exciting for a creative person.

SM: You're very matter-of-fact when talking about your writing. Do you think that's something that's just come with time and being able to look back?

VR: I think this is honestly just how I am. I've got a Polish mother, and I live in the Midwest, so I think we're just really straightforward people. It doesn't cost me anything, and so I do it. I'm a terrible liar.

SM: Do you feel like this post-Divergent mindset led you to being able to write Seek the Traitor's Son? Or was it something that felt like a natural progression?

VR: I worked on Seek the Traitor's Son over the course of five years and 10 drafts. It was just a joyful project for me. It's full of everything that I love, and I also learned important lessons from it, about keeping stories intimate, even though the backdrop is big and epic. And you know I couldn't have written The Sixth Faction without that because I needed to be able to not think about all the things that Divergent is, and just focus on the story and the characters that I love. So Seek the Traitor's Son taught me how to do that.

 SM: Divergent is a massively popular and widely beloved thing, but I think it also falls into opinionated internet conversations. I'm curious, how that has felt like it's affected your writing generally?

VR:  I think it has been a challenge to navigate because it's a lot of negativity, even though it's also a lot of positivity. And as I've discussed, I'm much better at retaining negativity than positivity. That's just how my brain works. What I've been able to do is create a safe space for myself in my writing. I think with the process of writing Seek the Traitor's Son, that's kinda what I was doing because it wasn't for anyone else. It was a healing book.

 SM: Do you have to set boundaries with yourself in online spaces to stay in a clear mindset while writing?

 VR: I have rules, so if someone's mean to me, I block them. I set up filters, sometimes I have to filter myself because the algorithm is like, 'you might be interested in this,' but, no, I'm not — I don't wanna see that. I don't make anyone else responsible for my emotional well-being — that's my other rule. But it is fun to engage with readers, so you wanna talk to them and answer their questions and joke around with them. It's just a bunch of people talking about books; we all love books.

 SM: I'm wondering if you've noticed a change in internet spaces now compared to when you published Divergent in 2011?

 VR: I think it feels pretty much the same, but the platforms are different. My real thought about it is that it is my responsibility to develop a sufficient amount of resilience. To deal with some negativity, because that is the nature of being a public person. It was the nature of my sister working in a J. Crew. As an adult, everyone is required to tolerate some people being unkind to you — that's existing in the world. But you're also allowed to defend yourself and to separate yourself from things that are toxic. So I try and balance those two things. I can't control people. I can only control me.

SM: After taking a break from Divergent, do you feel like you're carrying any new wisdom into The Sixth Faction?

 VR: Stories about young people have changed because the world has changed. So in this book, Tris is a little less of, 'I will save the world on my own,' and a little more of a 16-year-old navigating a very difficult sociopolitical situation that she is not prepared for. And that just feels like the reality of being a teenager right now, and I wanted the story to speak to that. When you get a little bit more life under your belt, as a person and as a writer, you're able to approach the series with a new perspective.