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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 15, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 15, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: "Now I get it!"

The words are related to understanding.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe comprehension.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is See the Light.

NYT Strands word list for February 15

• Grasp

• Fathom

• Realize

• See the Light

• Apprehend

• Understand

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 today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're into anatomy.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 15, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 15, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Cranium.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter L appears twice.

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...

SKULL

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 today's Wordle.

There are many things to love about the new FX series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette; the performances by Paul Anthony Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon as the doomed couple, the carefully curated early '90s soundtrack, and the respectful exploration of celebrity, love, and societal expectations. Also worthy of adulation is the series' devotion to recreating 1990s glamour, from the sleek New York offices of Calvin Klein — where Bessette worked before marrying Kennedy — to the chic models and movie stars with whom both Kennedy and Bessette interact.

Show creator Connor Hines (and, ok, executive producer Ryan Murphy, too) deserves credit for his accuracy to the time period, employing spot-on references to '90s phenomenons like Heather Locklear and Brad Pitt. Other celebrities featured on Love Story are full-fledged characters who drive the narrative forward, including Daryl Hannah, Kate Moss, and Annette Bening.

We've compiled the most notable celebrity characters and mentions below, leaving out others mentioned only briefly, like Jason Priestley, Keanu Reeves, Michael Jackson, and Saddam Hussein (!). We're also not including members of the Kennedy and Bouvier families who appear on the show, like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Caroline Kennedy, Sen. Ted Kennedy, Edwin Schlossberg, and Lee Radziwill, since they operate in the family and political spheres rather than Hollywood or fashion.

SEE ALSO: 'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette' review: A romance and horror story, all in one Mickey Rourke

The 9½ Weeks actor has the honor of being the first celebrity name-dropped in Love Story, when, in 1992, Carolyn Bessette’s co-worker at Calvin Klein humblebrags that she ended up in a ball pit with the actor at legendary ’90s nightclub Tunnel. The Rourke reference suggests that Carolyn and her coterie of friends operate on the fringes of America's elite.

Calvin Klein

Next up is the fashion designer himself (played by Alessandro Nivola), who is first seen getting into an elevator with Bessette. Klein is a major character in the series and a big supporter of Bessette.

Kelly Klein

Calvin's wife is a confidante and advocate of Bessette's. Klein (Leila George) expresses reservations about marrying her famous husband, warning Bessette of the pitfalls of being attached to "shiny people."

Demi Moore

Oscar-nominated legend Moore is briefly mentioned in the pilot when Bessette is reprimanded by her CK boss for not pressing and bagging clothes for Moore, who, post-Ghost, was one of the biggest movie stars of the time.

Annette Bening and Warren Beatty at the 1992 Golden Globe Awards. Credit: Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images Annette Bening

Another Oscar-nominated actress who loves Calvin Klein, Bening is fitted by the designer for the premiere of Bugsy, her film with husband Warren Beatty. Bening, depicted as sweet and gentle by actor Megan Channell, doesn’t love her dress but is guided by Bessette to a different, gender-bending look. Bening is besotted with Bessette, which impresses King Klein and sets the saleswoman up for her promotion to CK's publicity department.

SEE ALSO: Madonna celebrates as a 34-year-old deep cut goes viral on TikTok Madonna

Oddly enough, Bening is followed by Madonna, who may or may not be the subject of the Queen of Pop’s 1993 song "Thief of Hearts," which went viral in 2026. Madonna, who dated Kennedy in the late '80s, is mentioned as part of a crude joke by one of Kennedy's football buddies. Madonna is referenced again in the series (see below).

Daryl Hannah Daryl Hannah at the 1992 MTV Movie Awards. Credit: Photo by Kypros/Getty Images

The Splash star and on-again/off-again partner of JFK Jr. is a major character in the series, first mentioned at a dinner with Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and her grown children. Hannah, portrayed as kind, sensitive, and a bit hippie-dippy by actor Dree Hemingway, is not Jackie's favorite, possibly because she evokes memories of her first husband's affair with another famous blond actress. Hannah is a three-dimensional character in the first two episodes of the series, but her portrayal in episode three is less nuanced.

Pope Paul IV

We get a brief mention of Pope Paul IV when JFK Jr. claps back at his judgmental mother by pointing out that the pope had condemned her 1968 marriage to Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis (though it was more akin to disapproval of Jackie marrying a divorced man).

SEE ALSO: 'The Beauty' review: Ryan Murphy's latest is gorgeous, unhinged ridiculousness Michael Bergin

This '90s model is a major character in the series, as he had an on-again, off-again relationship with Bessette (the latter claimed the relationship continued even after her marriage to Kennedy). When we first meet Bergin (Noah Fearnley), he's hustling his way through New York, working as a bellhop and cater waiter, pining for something more serious with Bessette. Their relationship grows more serious, at least in the show, after JFK, Jr. rekindles his relationship with Hannah. Afterwards, Bessette works to elevate Bergin, sending his nascent modeling career into orbit when he becomes Calvin Klein's new hot male face (and body), thanks to her advocacy.

Cindy Crawford

The supermodel is referenced a few times in the early episodes of the series. First, Klein is considering making her the face of his line, but Bessette pushes for the then-relatively unknown Kate Moss. The next is history, as Moss skyrockets to stardom via her CK campaigns. Crawford is mentioned again when Kennedy is pitching his new political magazine, George, to investors; Crawford famously served as the publication's first cover model, styled in George Washington drag.

Michael Bergin and Kate Moss promoting Calvin Klein in 1994. Credit: Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Kate Moss

In Love Story, Bessette is depicted as one of the first people to see potential in the British model. Bessette tells Klein that Moss has the elusive and guarded nature that drives people mad with desire, a subtle reference to Bessette's own worldview, at least according to the series.

Mark Wahlberg

No celebrity comes off worse in Love Story than Mark Wahlberg, then known as rapper Marky Mark. As a Calvin Klein underwear model, MM's future with the label is in doubt after he gets into a fight with Madonna's entourage and uses an antigay slur. Bessette calls MM a purveyor of "shitty hip-hop," and the whole CK team sours on him after discovering he doesn't like the gay male attention he received because of the underwear campaign. With Bessette's urging, Marky Mark is dumped by Calvin.

Marlon Brando

An ailing Jackie Kennedy burns her personal letters in the days preceding her death, including one correspondence from the Oscar-winner where he recalls a wild night out where they danced and partied together.

Every so often, Love Island will air an “Unseen Bits” episode, full of mishaps and chaotic moments that we didn’t get to see during the regular episodes.

The first “Unseen Bits” episode of Love Island: All Stars season three aired on Monday night, featuring a confessional portion where each contestant revealed their celebrity crush. The all-stars’ picks started off uneventfully with the usual suspects, Scarlett Johansson and Cristiano Ronaldo included, before getting increasingly chaotic.

Jack: Sabrina Carpenter

“Love the music, love the vibe, and she’s obviously into the Irish so you never know," Jack said of the "Espresso" singer.

Helena: Cristiano Ronaldo

“Absolute smash, 10 out of 10," said Helena.

Helena added that she slid into his DMs a few times, but never got a response. 

Belle: Joe Swash

“The girls that get it, get it, and the ones that don’t, don’t worry about it," said Belle.

Swash is a British actor best known for his role as Mickey Miller in the soap opera EastEnders.

 Konnor: Oprah Winfrey

“She’s a bit of an older woman, but she’s got a lot of knowledge, a lot of wisdom," said Konnor.

Jess: Michael Scofield

“I like myself a bad boy," said Jess.

Michael Scofield is a character on the television series Prison Break, portrayed by Wentworth Miller.

Wentworth Miller at Comic-Con International in San Diego in 2016. Credit: Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images Leanne: Lil Wayne

“Let’s not even get into my obsession," said Leanne. Sorry, Scott!

Samie: Maya Jama

Samie went with none other than Love Island: All Stars season three host Maya Jama, saying that she would “couple up with her in a heartbeat.”

Jama is also known for co-hosting The Masked Singer.

Shaq: Scarlett Johannson 

“I feel like we could be on the street, and I wouldn’t even have to step in if there was an issue. I could just send her off, and she could protect me," said Shaq.

An Avengers and Love Island crossover, anyone?

Millie: Louis Theroux 

“I could dabble with that," Millie said of the British and American journalist.

Theroux does check Millie's "over 30" box.

Jack, Sean, Scott, and Ciaran: Lola from Shark Tale

This is where things started to get unhinged. Jack brought up the animated fish, voiced by Angelina Jolie, from the 2004 film Shark Tale. Sean, Scott, and Ciaran each agreed in their own confessionals. 

Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, and Will Smith sit on an inflatable shark for a promo for "Shark Tale" in 2004. Credit: BORIS HORVAT/AFP via Getty Images Whitney: Goku

“He’s fine as hell," said Whitney of the animated character from Dragonball Z.

She also contemplated Vegeta from the same series, but ultimately opted for Goku.

Tommy: Edna Krabappel

Tommy’s celebrity crush was revealed to be Edna Krabappel from The Simpsons – no comment here, just concern.

Ciaran: Velma and Daphne

Ciaran debated between Velma and Daphne from the animated Scooby-Doo franchise, but went with Daphne, saying that they would probably get along better.

A celebrity crush can reveal a great deal about a person’s taste in dating, so we’ll see how this will pan out in the next coming days on Love Island: All Stars. 

New episodes premiere daily at 9 pm on Peacock, with recap episodes airing on Mondays. Here's how to watch.

A few times each season, Love Island fans are asked to vote for their favorite and least favorite contestants – and the contestants with the fewest number of public votes are at risk of being dumped from the villa.

The results of the first voting were revealed to the contestants of Love Island: All Stars season 3 on Day 7: Millie and Scott were voted the top favorite Islanders, while Jess, Whitney, AJ, Sean, Konnor, and Charlie were voted the least favorite.

As the public’s top picks, Millie and Scott were given the power to dump two Islanders (one from the men’s side and one from the women’s side) from the villa. Scott chose to send AJ home, which was no surprise to viewers, given his friendship with Jess and Whitney. In a shocking turn of events, however, Millie chose to send her connection, Charlie, packing.

The move shocked Charlie and the rest of the villa, as both Millie and Charlie seemed smitten with each other. A turning point in their connection was when Konnor entered the villa as a bombshell, and picked Millie to be coupled with, leaving Charlie uncoupled and single. 

Charlie ended up sharing a three-way kiss with AJ and Samie, the two other bombshell arrivals. Charlie then expressed his interest in Jess, who is friends with Millie and reciprocated his feelings. Things escalated further when Scott called Charlie out for risking his connection with Millie by flirting with Jess. Scott told Millie that Charlie feels the split between Millie and Jess is “60/40,” with 60% going to Millie – which Millie was OK with at first.

However, the straw that broke the camel’s back was when Millie found out that Charlie and Jess kissed right before Charlie chose to be coupled with Millie, a move that hurt Millie and confused Jess. The two were never able to come to an agreement on this, as Millie felt like Charlie was “having his cake and eating it, too,” while Charlie felt like he was only exploring all his available options since he was technically considered single in the villa. 

When the time came for Millie to send one of the islanders with the fewest votes home, she decided to go with her gut and evict Charlie. When asked about her feelings the next day, she said that she had no regrets. 

Love Island fans were pleasantly surprised by Millie’s decision, with some viewers saying that Millie should win the season based on this strategic move alone.

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We’ve seen other contestants explore connections with different people in the villa, while Millie had been committed to getting to know Charlie since Day 1, even after Charlie expressed his interest in getting to know Jess as well. 

Millie’s decision to dump Charlie from the villa is a reminder that Love Island: All Stars is a game – one that involves sometimes doing what’s best for yourself and your shot at true love.

Other fans were just proud that Millie was able to prioritize her best interest despite her feelings for Charlie.

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With Charlie out of the running, Millie is now free to explore other connections in the villa, including a potential connection with Scott: Millie’s friend and the only other contestant that Millie says she is attracted to. 

New episodes of Love Island: All Stars premiere daily at 9 pm on Peacock, with recap episodes airing on Mondays. Here's how to watch.

Love Island: All Stars is here, featuring fan-favorite (and not so favorite) cast members from previous seasons of Love Island UK.

The first episode of season three premiered in the US Jan. 17, following a three-day postponement due to the wildfires in South Africa. An episode has aired daily since, with new episodes released in the US two days after they’ve premiered in the UK. 

Things move quickly in the Love Island villa, and a lot can happen in a few days.

Here’s everything that went down during the first week, in case you missed it:

Who's on the Love Island: All Stars cast Week 1?

The first couple pairings on Love Island: All Stars were determined by a public vote before the season premiered, and revealed to the cast members at the end of Day 1. Let's just say fans had some creative ideas on which Islanders should end up together this season.

Belle Hassan and Sean Stone

Belle was an Islander on season 5 of Love Island UK in 2019, while Sean is from season 11 in 2024. The pair seemed open to getting to know each other during the first few days, but rising flirtations between Sean and Helena, another Islander, led to a fight between the two at the end of Day 5. 

Belle Hassan joins All Stars from season 5 of Love Island UK. Credit: ITV Sean Stone joins All Stars from season 11 of Love Island UK. Credit: ITV Whitney Adebayo and Jack Keating

Whitney is from season 10 of Love Island UK in 2023, while Jack is from season 8 in 2022. Whitney was a bit hesitant to be paired with Jack after finding out that Jack is a father to a two-year-old girl, while Jack was afraid that Whitney might be too outspoken for him.

Whitney Adebayo joins All Stars from season 10 of Love Island UK. Credit: ITV Jack Keating joins All Stars from season 8 of Love Island UK. Credit: ITV Helena Ford and Charlie Frederick

Helena first appeared in season 12 of Love Island UK in 2025. Charlie is from season 4 in 2018, but was dumped from the island on Day 13. Helena and Charlie were off to a rocky start even before the two were paired together: Helena said that the two knew each other as teenagers, and that Charlie said she looked like a dolphin at her 16th birthday.

Helena Ford joins All Stars from season 12 of Love Island UK. Credit: ITV Charlie Frederick joins All Stars from season 4 of Love Island UK. Credit: ITV Jess Harding and Tommy Bradley

Jess is from season 10 of Love Island UK, the same season that Whitney was in. She was coupled with Sammy Root, and the pair ended up winning the season together. However, Jess and Sammy broke up roughly two months after filming ended, with Jess saying that the two are "very different and behave differently."

Tommy is from season 12, like Helena, and seemed interested in Jess from the jump. He said that the two had briefly messaged each other on Instagram, but didn’t meet until the filming of Love Island: All Stars season three.

Jess Harding joins All Stars from season 10 of Love Island UK. Credit: ITV Tommy Bradley joins All Stars from season 12 of Love Island UK. Credit: ITV Leanne Amaning and Shaq Muhammad

Leanne is from season 6 of Love Island UK in 2020, while Shaq is from season 9 in 2023. Shaq was coupled with Tanya Manhenga and the pair finished in fourth place. They dated for roughly a year before breaking up in 2024, after Shaq received a lap dance from someone else in Miami.

Leanne, who is friends with Tanya outside of Love Island, said that Shaq was "no good" for her earlier that day, leading to a rough start between the pair as well.

Leanne Amaning joins All Stars from season 6 of Love Island UK. Credit: ITV Shaq Muhammad joins All Stars from season 9 of Love Island UK. Credit: ITV This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Millie Court and Ciaran Davies

Millie is from season 7 of Love Island UK, which she ended up winning with Liam Reardon. Millie and Liam dated on-and-off for four years before calling it quits in 2025. Millie told the other Islanders that they had felt a shift in their relationship a few months before officially breaking up.

Ciaran is from season 11, like Sean, and finished the season as a runner-up with Nicole Samuel. Ciaran and Nicole broke up about four to five months after the season ended, with a representative for the pair saying that it was mutual and an amicable terms.

Millie suspected that she was paired with Ciaran because he is similar to her ex-boyfriend, Liam, in looks and height. She said she was hesitant to be paired with him because of their age difference, as Ciaran is a few years younger than her.

Millie Court joins All Stars from season 7 of Love Island UK. Credit: ITV Ciaran Davies joins All Stars from season 11 of Love Island UK. Credit: ITV The arrival of the first bombshell of the season

The first bombshell cast member to enter the villa was Scott van-der-Sluis, who appeared in season 10 of Love Island UK with Whitney and Jess. Scott was not paired with any of the Islanders on Day 1, but he did make it a point to go off on Shaq and Sean – evicting them from the shared bedroom in the villa.

He said Shaq and Leanne were not compatible, given Shaq’s history of cheating with Tanya. He called Sean one of the “worst” Islanders of his season. Sean said that the two don’t know each other.

The first recoupling, arrival of three new bombshells This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

The end of Day 3 saw a recoupling of the original pairs, with Scott given the first pick, followed by the women in the villa. However, the addition of not one, but three, new bombshells altered the final recouplings.

The new bombshells included Konnor Ewudzi from season 11 of Love Island UK (which he appeared in with Sean and Ciaran), Andrea-Jane (AJ) Bunker from season 7 (which she appeared in with Millie), and Samie Elishi from season 9 (which she appeared in with Shaq). Elishi also entered as a bombshell in season 2 of Love Island: All Stars, where she was dumped from the villa on Day 27. 

Konnor was given the green light to “steal” any of the women from their recouplings, while AJ and Samie remained uncoupled on their first night.

The night ended with the following pairs:

Scott and Leanne

Scott and Leanne hit it off on Day 1 in the villa, so Scott decided to pick her to be coupled up with for the foreseeable future.

Mille and Konnor

Millie chose to be coupled with Charlie, also given their strong connection since Day 1, but Konnor chose to be coupled with Millie upon entering the villa, leaving Charlie uncoupled. Millie seemed disappointed about leaving Charlie, but decided to be a good sport about the recoupling.

Helena and Shaq

Helena and Shaq shared a kiss in the villa’s secret garden earlier that day, leaving Helena torn, as she had also kissed Sean the day before. However, Sean kissed every girl in the villa except for Helena during a game of “Truth or Pass,” leaving Helena feeling unsure on where she stood with Sean.

She chose to play it safe and be coupled with Shaq.

Whitney and Jack

Whitney chose to stay coupled with Jack, despite a brief period of tension during which neither was sure of the other’s interest in each other.

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

Belle also chose to stay coupled with Sean, expressing her interest in getting to know him better.

Jess and Tommy

Jess chose to stay coupled with Tommy as well.

Like Charlie, Ciaran did not get placed in a couple, so he and Charlie were introduced to AJ and Samie. Ciaran dared Charlie to do a three-way-kiss with AJ and Samie, which led to some slight tension between Charlie and Millie the next day.

The second recoupling

The end of episode 5 was marked by another recoupling, with AJ and Samie getting the first pick, followed by Scott, and then the rest of the men in the villa.

AJ and Shaq

The day after AJ’s arrival, AJ and Shaq shared a kiss and expressed their mutual attraction to each other. AJ picked Shaq to be coupled with, despite Shaq telling her that he was also exploring his connection with Helena.

Samie and Ciaran

Samie and Ciaran also expressed their interest in each other, and have been getting to know each other since Samie arrived at the villa.

Scott and Leanne

Scott and Leanne are still going strong, and both seem to be fully committed to getting to know each other in the villa so far. Fans think that they have a shot of being the winning couple this season.

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

Charlie kissed Jess twice shortly before the second coupling, leading to some speculation on who he might choose to be coupled with. He ultimately decided to go with Millie, saying that the split was “60/40” between the two women.

Millie said that she was okay with Charlie exploring his options, but things got more tense after Millie found out that Charlie kissed Jess right before he chose to be coupled with Millie again.

Sean and Helena

Since Belle ended things with Sean after he said he was interested in Helena, he decided to go full-force by coupling with Helena, especially since she was no longer coupled with Shaq.

Konnor and Whitney

Konnor realized that Millie was only interested in Charlie, and decided to partner with Whitney, who he is friendly with.

Jack and Belle

Jack chose to be coupled with Belle, since Whitney was coupled with Konnor.

Tommy and Jess

Tommy decided to stay coupled with Jess, but made it clear that her interest in Charlie makes him feel like a second option, and that he contemplated staying single. The confrontation left Jess in tears, as she felt like she was being called out by all the men in the villa for exploring her options.

Thursday’s episode ended with a call for a public vote, which decides which Islanders were at risk of being dumped from the villa.

Two Islanders leave the villa

During Episode 8, host Maya Jama revealed that Scott was voted as the top favorite Islander on the men’s side, while Millie was voted the top favorite Islander on the women’s side.

The least favorite Islanders, and the ones at risk for going home, were Jess, Whitney, AJ, Sean, Konnor, and Charlie. As the favorite Islanders, Scott and Millie were given the choice to send two Islanders to home from each side.

Scott, who is friends with both Jess and Whitney, decided to send AJ home. In a shocking turn of events, Millie decided to send Charlie home, despite their strong connection in the villa.

Millie was not able to look past the way Charlie handled the love triangle situation with Jess, and decided that she would rather explore her other options in the villa.

With AJ and Charlie gone from the villa, Shaq and Millie were left uncoupled again.

British boy band Blue and unexpected connections

The contestants were surprised with a private performance by British boy band Blue, during which Shaq and Belle were seen dancing together, hinting at another potential connection in the villa.

Scott and Leanne were invited outside of the villa for their first date, the first couple to do so in the villa so far. 

Millie confessed her interest in Scott to the other contestants, saying that she really values their connection but is hesitant to move forward knowing that he’s with Leanne. Scott said that he’s definitely interested in getting to know Millie better. 

Belle pulled Shaq away for a chat in the secret garden, where both expressed their mutual interest in each other. They agreed not to kiss each other out of respect for Helena, who Shaq is still getting to know.

Other memorable moments included squabbles between Scott and Charlie (because of accusations Charlie double-timed both Millie and Jess) and Whitney and Jess (because of Whitney feeling like Jess was making fun of her during a game of “Never Have I Ever”).

New episodes of Love Island: All Stars premiere daily at 9 pm on Peacock, with recap episodes airing on Mondays. Here's how to watch.

The Nintendo Wii Remote (or Wiimote) is a device that everyone associates with casual games and just shaking the controller. However, it actually hides some serious technological muscle that makes it perfect for repurposing. If you still have that plastic wand tucked away somewhere, you can turn it into a perfectly functional, if unconventional, computer mouse.

Mazda’s reputation for blending engaging driving dynamics with thoughtful design has never been clearer than in one specific 2026 trim that bridges two worlds many drivers assume must be separate. The 2.5 S Premium version pairs a true enthusiast’s feature, a six-speed manual transmission, with a cabin that feels plush and refined, offering luxury-leaning touches you rarely see in cars at this price.

With storage prices climbing, now's the perfect time to stock up on USB flash drives. They're small, portable, convenient, and come in various capacity sizes that can easily store all types of data you can throw at them: text documents, slideshow presentations, music, movies, video games, apps—you name it.

Much like our phones and smartwatches, earbuds are one of the most important pieces of tech we carry everywhere. They’re often expensive, as high-end earbuds with amazing sound and features like ANC can set you back a pretty penny.

Compact pickup buyers used to choose between bare-bones utility and full-size capability, but one newer truck has quietly redefined practical expectations. The Hyundai Santa Cruz blends the versatility of a truck with the ride quality and everyday usability of a crossover, making it surprisingly capable without demanding the compromises that come with larger pickups. For many drivers, it might be all the pickup they actually need.

You'll often spend hundreds or thousands of dollars between your processor, graphics card, and RAM. Don't endanger the entire setup by buying an inexpensive power supply that can't keep up with your system's needs.

Buying a used luxury car can be tempting. Some models depreciate so rapidly that their asking price practically begs you to take one home. For example, a brand-new Mercedes-Benz S 580 4Matic starts at about $131,000. Add just a few options and the price can easily surpass $150,000. That is roughly triple the price of the average new car.

Want to impress your friends and coworkers? Try these hidden Microsoft Word features! You may have used Microsoft Word for years, but you haven't fully taken advantage of its capabilities. I'll share eight hidden Word features that often go unnoticed. Let's dive in.

SAVE $60: As of February 14th, Amazon has the DJI mini 4k drone on sale for $239, down from its list price of $299.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 4K, Drone with 4K UHD Camera for Adults, Under 249 g $239 at Amazon
$299 Save $60   Get Deal

This weekend is seeing an excellent sale on the DJI Mini 4K drone for a limited time. Save 20% on this drone with a 3-axis gimbal and the ability to capture UHD footage in up to 23 mph winds. Brushless motors can reach altitudes of up to 4,000 meters.

The DJI mini is also beginner-friendly with features like one-touch takeoff and landing (which saves you from many common manual arrival and departure accidents). The mini also comes replete with the GPS return-to-home feature, which works like a boomerang, returning to you from up to 10km. The 10km figure was measured in a completely unobstructed environment with no buildings, trees, or inclement weather obstructing the signal. This is the absolute maximum distance your drone could travel before losing connection, transmission, and the ability to return to you. To be safe, DJI says the connection range is more like 1.5-3km in high-obstruction urban areas and 3-6 km in medium-obstruction areas like suburbs.

The DJI mini 4K is light enough that it doesn’t require registration with the FAA. The device also features “Intelligent Quickshots” that perform more advanced shots, such as Helix and Circle shots, on their own. This gives you the chance to capture professional-looking footage without a ton of experience. 

Of all the shows I watch, gritty crime and period dramas are my absolute favorite. They’re an obsession that started nearly 20 years ago with an epic biker saga and was cemented by 2014’s Peaky Blinders, which saw enormous global success with its depiction of a notorious crime gang in 1919 Birmingham, England.

SAVE $800: As of February 14th, Amazon has this 57” Samsung Odyssey gaming monitor on sale for $1,499, which 35% off down from its list price of $2,299.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung SAMSUNG 57" Odyssey Neo G9 (G95NC) Series Dual 4K UHD 1000R Curved Gaming Monitor $1,499
$2,299 Save $800   Get Deal

This weekend, you could upgrade your significant other's Valentine’s Day (or year) by picking up this massive gaming monitor from Samsung. This 57” Samsung Odyssey gaming monitor has a slight curve for true immersion into your virtual world of choice. Samsung claims that it’s the world’s first dual UHD monitor, meaning it's the first monitor to be as big as two side-by-side 27" UHD monitors.

With this colossally wide field of view, you also get a 240Hz refresh rate (which reduces lag) and a 1ms response time, both of which contribute to a seamless, crisp visual experience. The monitor comes with DisplayPort, HDMI, and a USB hub for hooking up your devices with ease.

Reviewers of this monitor praise its picture and resolution quality. One reviewer who upgraded from two side-by-side monitors said it was super worth it. Other reviewers praised the convenience of a screen this wide for multitasking and gaming.

One five-star reviewer mentioned that the monitor is quite heavy and might not be compatible with an arm attachment. If you’ve been wanting to upgrade your workstation, this could be a monumental addition to the mix.

Just when you thought the outcry against dating app culture couldn’t get any louder, an old app returns to remind us that there truly is no floor.

Enter Score, an app that was first launched back in 2024 by a financial services company looking to promote greater openness about personal finances. To qualify for Score membership, users had to prove they had a credit score of 675 or above, and that gimmick somehow garnered them north of 50,000 active users.

According to a recent interview with TechCrunch, Score founder Luke Bailey is eager to relaunch the app. There is already a Score website where you can sign up for the waiting list and discover their new tagline: "Dating For People With Good Credit."

SEE ALSO: I watched every episode of 'Pop the Balloon.' Here's what it taught me about dating.

In the new-and-improved Score, inclusivity is the focus. The app will offer two membership tiers: a general-access membership for everyone and a higher tier for members who are willing to verify their credit scores. Doing so unlocks more quality-of-life features, including the ability to send video introductions or message people who haven’t already swiped to talk to you. 

Score is teaming up with Equifax to handle both credit and ID verification, prompting tech-savvy critics to raise privacy concerns. But according to a press release, Bailey doesn’t believe there’s anything inherently superficial about using a credit score as a proxy for dating value.

"We look at credit not as a measure of wealth, but as a reflection of consistency and reliability. Most dating platforms measure attrition," says Bailey in the press release. "We measure reliability alongside compatibility." The general idea being that someone who doesn’t shirk their regular credit card payments is also less likely to ghost their dating app matches.

The timing of the Score launch is also inauspicious, as younger Americans are simultaneously experiencing a credit crunch and a weakening job market comparable to the 2008 financial crisis, with average credit scores falling at a faster rate than at any time since 2009. The bet that Score is making is that, in a search for financial stability, users might re-prioritize the credit-worthiness of their potential partners, but it’s just as likely that young people will view this move as yet another crass attempt to harvest user data under the guise of offering a worthwhile service. 

Finally, the app's underlying thesis deserves some scrutiny. Are credit-worthy people also inherently more reliable in dating? Does a missed credit card payment suggest a flaky personality, or someone likely to forget to return a phone call or remember a birthday? We suspect the market will supply the answer to those questions.

Home insurance is a last line of defense, a financial cushion to help you recover after damage to your home. It’s also an expensive way of dealing with liability. While you can’t account for every eventuality, taking steps where possible to avoid disaster will save you from emotional and financial turmoil.

Is your NAS only handling your file management and nothing else? It’s an always-on computer and can do so much more. By moving Home Assistant to your NAS and picking up a cheap USB stick, you can give your smart home the upgrade it deserves without breaking the bank.