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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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, May 18, 2025:

AcrossGolf shot that's also a piece of computer hardware

• The answer is Chip.

Golf shot that's also a piece of computer hardware

• The answer is Drive.

Screenwriter Sorkin

• The answer is Aaron.

Nonreactive, chemically

• The answer is Inert.

"Bye-bye!"

• The answer is See ya.

DownOrigami bird

• The answer is Crane.

Person added to the staff

• The answer is Hiree.

Material used to plate the skin of the Parthenon Athena and the statue of Zeus at Olympia

• The answer is Ivory

Five: Prefix

• The answer is Penta.

Oktoberfest glass

• The answer is Stein.

Speaker's platform

• The answer is Dais.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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.

When it comes to noise-cancelling earbuds, you can easily find a pairs anywhere in the $50 to $300 range. If you're looking for a pick somewhere in the middle of that price point, you've likely looked at Sony, Beats, and maybe even Bose.

Skullcandy, however, is looking to break into the mid-range space with the release of its new Method 360 ANC earbuds. The earbuds, made in partnership with Bose, feature sound technology from the premium brand. At full price, the Method 360 ANC earbuds are the most expensive earbuds in Skullcandy's lineup, but still firmly situated in the budget range for earbuds overall.

With that in mind and as someone who's personally tried the entire line of available Bose earbuds, I knew I needed to put these Skullcandy earbuds to the test.

What makes the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds different

Skullcandy isn't exactly the brand known for drawing in audio fidelity enthusiasts. What it is known for is affordable prices: Excluding the Method 360s, its entire earbud lineup goes for $100 or less, with several pairs available under $50, and their absolute cheapest wireless earbuds going for just $25 at full price.

Even the brand's earbuds with active noise cancellation are affordable at full price. Credit: Screenshot: Skullcandy

A lower price point typically means you won't get top-of-the-line sound, active noise cancellation, or extra features like a custom equalizer. While Skullcandy does already include ANC in its lineup, they've never had Bose-quality sound before. In the press release for the earbuds, Justin Regan, Skullcandy's vice president of marketing, says, "This product sets a new standard. We're launching at $99.99 because we want more people to hear what's next. But make no mistake — Method 360 ANC belongs in the premium tier."

Considering premium-tier earbuds can easily cost twice the price of the Skullcandy earbuds, that's a bold claim worth testing out. It is also worth keeping in mind that the $99.99 is just an introductory price that will eventually be raised to $129.99 (the Skullcandy team was unable to provide a date as to when that price rise will go into effect).

Is Skullcandy's Bose-powered sound good?

Simply put, I was impressed by how these earbuds sounded. Granted, they didn't sound exactly like the Bose earbuds I've tried, but they came close enough to earn them some serious points.

When listening to Japanese Breakfast's "Savage Good Boy," the Method 360s showed off their power to balance a song, blending the nuances of the guitar, bass, and high-pitched vocals with dexterity. During the 8-Bit Big Band's rendition of "Lonely Rolling Star" from the video game Katamari Damacy, it would have been easy for a lesser pair of earbuds to make the horn line sound blown out, and the singer get lost in a wall of sound produced by the instrumentals. But the Skullcandy earbuds held up. At times, their volume could feel a little muffled, but only when I was really pushing the upper limit for testing (and comparing them side by side) — I can't imagine a casual listener would notice this off the bat.

When compared to my favorite pair of budget earbuds, the slightly cheaper EarFun Air Pro 4 earbuds, the Skullcandy buds didn't sound leaps and bounds better. While they may not set a new standard entirely, they do perform at the top of their category.

Skullcandy vs. Bose earbuds

Speaking of comparisons, I had to test the Skullcandy earbuds against two Bose options: the Bose QuietComfort earbuds (which retail for $179) and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds (which retail for $299). I'll be writing up a more in-depth comparison soon, so I'm going to keep it relatively brief here, but I wanted to touch on the main points.

From left to right: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds, Skullcandy earbuds, and Bose QuietComfort earbuds. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Overall, I find both options from Bose to still be better than the Skullcandy buds, which wasn't too surprising, considering their price points. However, the Skullcandy earbuds definitely held their own more than I expected. Here's how they stacked up:

• Sound: The hierarchy is as you would expect here, but there's way less of a discrepancy

• Comfort: Though all the earbuds came with three sizes of ear tips and stability bands, I found both Bose models to have a slightly better seal, but fit can vary from person to person.

• Touch controls: The Skullcandy earbuds' touch controls felt surprisingly sophisticated, never leaning more sensitive (as budget earbuds tend to). They felt like a near one-to-one experience with the QC Ultras.

• Smart features: The voice assistant sounds exactly the same, but the Skullcandy earbuds play it so loud, no matter what volume you set them at.

• Noise cancelling: The noise cancellation on the QuietComfort and especially QuietComfort Ultra earbuds blocked out more, but for being $100 earbuds, I was impressed at how the Skullcandy buds performed.

• Companion app: The Skullcandy app looks (and works) incredibly similar to the Bose QuietComfort earbuds app.

• Battery life: The Skullcandy earbuds had really impressive battery life that seemed to match up, if not straight up outperform, the Bose earbuds.

• Multipoint connection: With all three earbuds, I've experienced some issues with switching between two connected devices or having a consistent connection without any audio skipping when more than one device is connected. However, you can help the issue by turning off multipoint connection for all three devices.

Obviously, the starkest difference between the three earbuds is the price. Though the Skullcandy earbuds are by far the cheapest, it is worth noting that while I was writing this review, the Bose QuietComfort earbuds were on sale for $149. During the holiday season, they dropped down to $129.

The noise cancelling works better than expected

I've tried noise-cancelling earbuds that have caused my partner to accidentally jump-scare me throughout the day, and I've tried noise-cancelling earbuds that do little more than vaguely muffle sounds while playing an obvious hissing tone.

The adjustable ANC was a pleasant surprise. Credit: Screenshot: Skullcandy

Usually, budget earbuds are more likely to fall into the latter category, and understandably so. I especially didn't expect these earbuds to come with adjustable ANC, a feature that's been harder to find since Bose discontinued its noise-cancelling 700 headphones. Yet, the Method 360 earbuds provided a noise cancellation that had only the most minimal of hiss on the highest levels of noise cancellation. They didn't quite cancel out my partner on work calls or my neighbors' kids playing outside as well as the Bose earbuds did (that also could've been a result of the fit not being as snug), but for $100, they stood out as one of the better pairs I've tested.

The case needs a redesign

It may sound silly, but the case is by far the biggest issue with these earbuds. Beyond being way too clunky and not very user-friendly (more on that in a second), they don't feel consistent with the audience these earbuds seem to want to chase after. If you're adding Bose-powered sound to compete with premium earbuds, the earbuds you're making should have a premium feel. While the earbuds themselves do, the case feels cheap and gimmicky.

I reached out to a Skullcandy rep via email to ask why the case is the way it is, and they replied that it came down to style and functionality. On the point of style, I guess this look could be someone's jam — it's not exactly mine. To Skullcandy's credit, it does offer five different colorways of the earbuds, including the black ones I received, as well as earbuds in an off-white shade called bone, a red shade called plasma, a tan shade called primer, and a leopard print called — you guessed it — leopard.

Then, there's the point of functionality. "The functional part is the case can be clipped outside of a bag, to a belt loop, or inside the key-ring of a bag/purse, so they’re easier to get to when the need is there," the Skullcandy rep wrote to me in an email.

Technically, you can use the earbuds that way, but the O-ring isn't the most adaptive size. For my thicker-strapped bags that didn't have another ring or keychain, it took some maneuvering to get the ring clipped on and off — not exactly the "Clip It and Rip It" experience Skullcandy advertises in its marketing copy.

The O-ring was functional on thicker strapped bags, but a little awkward to use. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

The other issue I have with this idea is picturing the scenario where someone would want to clip their $100 to $130 earbuds outside the relative safety of their bag or pocket. Maybe for the Dime Evo earbuds, the $50 Skullcandy earbuds that originated this design, it makes more sense, but for a more premium-oriented earbud, this doesn't feel like the right vessel.

The Dime Evo case is incredibly similar, but has both earbuds situated on one side. Credit: Skullcandy

"So just don't clip the case on your bag," you might be saying. And trust me, beyond testing, I don't think I would. However, Skullcandy designed the case more tailored to the experience of using the clip. For one, the case is huge, and it looks huge on a desktop or in a smaller bag. Ironically, this makes the earbuds feel less portable. And two, the earbuds are placed on the opposite sides. For instance, if you're looking at the front of the case, and slide it up that way, the right earbud sits on the left side, and the left on the right.

The front facing view of the Method 360 ANC case has the right earbud on the left side of the case, and vice versa. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable Turned with its right side facing up, you can see the left earbud. Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable

Maybe if you're solely using these earbuds, this is something you get used to, but I could not during the testing period. I kept trying to put the wrong earbud on the wrong side or upside down. It may feel like a small gripe, but design choices like these are where I notice the difference between budget and more premium headphones.

Are the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds worth it?

At $99, the Skullcandy Method 360 ANCs are an impressive pair of earbuds that punch above their brand's weight. While the case is glaringly bad, of all the features to be less than stellar on a pair of budget earbuds, Skullcandy could've done way worse. On that note, their sound, comfort, and noise cancellation make them feel more luxe than their current $100 price tag would imply.

While they don't completely stand out as singularly the best in the budget category, they are definitely one of the best options at this price point, especially if you can look past the case. Once they jump up to their $129.99 full price, I'd probably wait for them to go on sale before I grab them. But, if you're not in a rush for new earbuds, I might recommend just waiting instead for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds to drop back down to their record-low price instead.

Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds $99.99 at Amazon
$129.99 Save $30.00 Shop Now

Tumble vs. Ruggable: Aesthetic and choice

The whole point of getting an area rug in the first place is to make a room look more pleasing to the eye, so when choosing between Ruggable and Tumble, it's important to consider just how many options each brand has. When it comes to aesthetics, beauty is in the eye of the beholder — we can't really tell you which rug designs look better, because everyone's interior design taste varies greatly. But what we can say is that, in general, Ruggable has way more options on its website than Tumble does, including larger sizes and options made specifically for outdoor spaces. So, when it comes to this category, we'd say Ruggable is a pretty clear winner.

Winner: Ruggable

SEE ALSO: Shark vs. Dyson: Which cordless vacuum should you get? Tumble vs. Ruggable: Durability

How good can a rug be if it can't stand the test of time? Both Tumble and Ruggable aim to extend the life of your rug by making it easy to keep clean and free of the damage that normal rugs would experience over a long period of time. Both brands claim to be spill-resistant, pet-friendly, and machine washable, which is about all you can ask for in a rug, especially if you've placed it in a high-traffic area. Luckily, both are equally as good at staving off stains, rips, and fraying. Other than some very minor wear and tear, both of the rugs we tested out looked about as good as they did the day we got them at the end of our testing period. We consider this category to be dead even.

Winner: Tie

A close-up of one of Ruggable's rugs. Credit: RJ Andersen / Mashable Tumble vs. Ruggable: Comfort

You're going to be walking on your new rug pretty often, so you'll want it to feel plush and comfortable. Unless you want to feel the hardwood underneath it. To each their own!

Both Tumble and Ruggable charge separately for the rug pad when you order one of their rugs. If you already have a pad, you can order the rug cover on its own to save some cash. Both brands' rug pads feel great to walk on, and they have a nice bounce to them that feels supportive and takes a lot of pressure off your joints. Ruggable offers a standard pad and a cushioned pad, while Tumble has just one 1/4-inch thick rug pad.

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The rug covers themselves also feel really nice. The Ruggable rug we tested out was a medium-pile design that felt soft and plush, and the Tumble option was a flat-woven style rug that was super smooth to the touch. We loved them both equally, but Ruggable has more rug pad and rug pile options, so it wins this round.

Winner: Ruggable

Tumble vs. Ruggable: User-friendliness

The setup process for both Tumble and Ruggable is probably a bit different from what you're used to. It's more involved than simply laying the rug cover on top of the pad, and you'll want to put yours in a place that's easy to access, because in theory, you'll be picking up and putting down the rug occasionally to chuck it into the washing machine. Thankfully, it's still a pretty easy process in both cases, but one is superior in our opinion — it's Tumble.

Setting up a Tumble rug is an absolute breeze. All that's required is laying down the rug pad in your chosen spot, putting the rug cover over the top of it, and then securing it with the included adhesive pads on each corner. The cover itself has corner pockets that allow you to slip the pad into them, which keeps the two from separating — a simple, yet amazing design choice. To this day, the Tumble rug we tested hasn't budged an inch.

In Ruggable's case, though, the setup is a little more laborious. First, you'll need to lay out and fold up the rug cover in a particular way so that it sits on the rug pad correctly. Then, you need to lay the rug pad down and unfold the cover on top of it, being careful to keep everything aligned. The cover is supposed to cling to the pad underneath it, but due to the lack of corner pockets and adhesive strips, the rug has more potential to move around during use, and it's really tough to get everything lined up just right. In our experience, the Ruggable rug hung over the rug pad by a few inches on one end and at least an inch on all other sides. Because of this, both the initial setup and the eventual post-wash resets are just a tad more difficult.

In terms of keeping the rugs looking clean, they're equally easy to spot clean or throw into your washer. Still, Tumble edges this category out.

Winner: Tumble

A close-up of one of Tumble's rugs. Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable Tumble vs. Ruggable: Overall value

Rugs are going to be expensive no matter what you do, so you shouldn't make a knee-jerk decision when you see both Tumble's and Ruggable's prices. It all depends on the size you want. Tumble's rugs start at around $119 and reach above the $400 mark on the high end. Ruggable's rugs start at about $129, and the largest sizes (which are way bigger than Tumble's largest sizes) can reach over $1,000. That's pricey anyway you slice it, but is it worth the money? We think so. The amount of time you'll save cleaning either one of these rugs, paired with their longer lifetimes, makes them both an incredible value over time. If you're going to drop some serious dough on a rug, you might as well buy one that'll last. And that goes especially for households with children, pets, or spill-prone adults. Again, Tumble and Ruggable tie in this regard.

Winner: Tie

Tumble vs. Ruggable: The verdict

So, we've reached a tricky situation here. There's no clear winner of this battle. However, if we had to pick, Ruggable ekes out the win. But it really comes down to your priorities: If you want more design choices, larger sizes, and options for outdoor areas, go with Ruggable. If you want to go straight for ease of use, though, Tumble is your perfect match.

All in all, both Tumble and Ruggable make some amazing rugs, so you can't really go wrong with either one.

Shop Ruggable and Tumble washable rugs Ruggable washable rugs Starting at $129 Shop Now Tumble washable rugs Starting at $119 Shop Now

Apple recently made its grand (re)entrance to the mid-range smartphone market with the iPhone 16e, replacing the older iPhone SE variant. Of course, now the only thing to do is see how it compares to one of the best mid-range smartphones around, the newly released Google Pixel 9a.

Both phones provide a lot of value for those looking for a flagship-like experience for a much lower price, but there are benefits and drawbacks to each. Let's get into it.

Google Pixel 9a vs. iPhone 16e

Two phones enter, but only one can fit in your pocket. Which will it be?

Price and specs The Pixel 9a is a great value. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

When it comes to price, there is a clearly superior option here. The Pixel 9a starts at $499, while the iPhone 16e starts at $599. While $100 isn't the biggest difference in the world of flagships, it's a large number for anyone in the market for a budget phone.

Here's what you get in the Pixel 9a for that price:

• 6.3-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Google Tensor G4 processor

• 8GB RAM

• 128GB storage

• 5,100mAh battery

And for $100 more, this is what the iPhone 16e gets you:

• 6.1-inch display with 60Hz refresh rate

• Apple A18 chip

• 8GB RAM

• 128GB/256GB/512GB storage

• 4,005mAh battery

We'll get into display and performance analysis later, but Google is easily winning the value game so far. You get a bigger and (in some ways) better display and a bigger battery for less money. Apple, to its credit, offers more storage options, but those will only make the phone even more expensive; the 512GB iPhone 16e is $899, which makes it not even really a budget phone anymore.

Design Apple kept it simple. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Neither of these phones are on the cutting edge of smartphone design, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The iPhone 16e, for its part, looks like a slightly older iPhone model. It doesn't have the standalone Dynamic Island cutout at the top of the display like you'd see in a recent flagship iPhone, instead going for the classic notch look. There's no home button, which differentiates it from the old iPhone SE models, but there isn't one on the Pixel 9a, either. Unfortunately, it only comes in two very boring colors: black and white.

Google's mid-range phone is slightly bolder in its design. Namely, Google went and removed the horizontal rear camera bar that had become such an iconic part of the Google Pixel look over the past few years. Now, the rear camera is barely noticeable, lacking even a bump to make it stand out. That's pretty nice if you like your phone to lie completely flat on a table, but it does make the Pixel 9a look like a generic phone prop in a TV show.

That said, the Pixel 9a offers four colors, twice as many as the iPhone 16e. There are black and white options, as well as one called "Iris" and a gorgeous pink colorway that should be the only one anyone buys, in my humble opinion.

Display Google's display is superior. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

In my eyes, there's a pretty definitive winner in the display category.

Pixel 9a's display is not only slightly bigger (though that can actually be problematic for folks with smaller hands), but its refresh rate is twice as high. Not everyone values this as much as I do, but smooth scrolling is very nice to have on a smartphone, and it's a little wild that Apple is still so behind the times on this issue in everything other than iPhone Pro models. You also get up to 2,700 nits of peak brightness, which makes it great for outdoor use.

Apple's panel isn't bad, by any means. Its 2532x1170 resolution is slightly higher than what Pixel 9a offers (2424x1080), and it is an OLED screen with HDR support. However, with just 1,200 nits of peak brightness, it likely won't look as good under sunlight as the Pixel 9a.

Performance Apple went with USB-C for this one, which is nice. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

When it comes to performance, there really isn't a losing choice here.

Both phones are excellent in terms of day-to-day use. Apps load quickly and neither phone slows down too much when there are too many open. I did notice the Pixel 9a getting a little warm to the touch after prolonged use, but a case could easily alleviate that.

If you want to put it in numbers and technically choose a winner, it would be Apple. The iPhone 16e's Geekbench benchmarking metrics are better than Pixel 9a's, with Apple netting a 7,423 multi-core score and Google coming in at just 4,358. However, on a practical level, either phone will do just fine for you.

Battery life Both phones have good battery life. Credit: Joe Maldonado/Mashable

Battery life is another area where you can only win.

In my testing, the Pixel 9a was more or less a 24-hour device between charges, and could probably last longer if you turned the refresh rate down to 60Hz or took other power-saving measures. I never directly tested the iPhone 16e myself, but our reviewer Stan Schroeder noted that he was able to go about two days between charges on what he described as "heavy use."

It's possible, then, that the extra cash you pay for the iPhone 16e is getting you a better battery than what is available on Pixel 9a. However, I wouldn't describe the Pixel 9a's battery as "bad" by any means. It's just less good.

Camera The iPhone 16e takes nice nighttime shots. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Both the iPhone 16e and Pixel 9a have identical (in terms of megapixels) 48MP main shooters on the rear side. However, Apple only included the one camera lens on the phone's backside, while the Pixel 9a also has an additional 13MP ultra-wide lens.

Since these are both budget phones, cameras are where the biggest compromises are to be expected. That said, you can definitely get nice-looking shots on either the Pixel 9a or iPhone 16e. One nice bonus that the Pixel 9a has over the Pixel 8a is the addition of Macro Focus, which lets you get up real close to tiny objects and capture them in great detail. Unfortunately, the iPhone 16e doesn't have this feature at all, due to the lack of an ultra-wide lens.

Given that Google's phone has that extra lens and at least one feature the iPhone 16e can't claim, I'm inclined to think the Pixel 9a has a better camera system.

Google Pixel 9a $499 at Google Store
Shop Now Apple iPhone 16e $599 at Apple.com
Shop Now

TL;DR: Live stream Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) in the 2025 NBA playoffs for free on Ran.de. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 NBA playoffs are continuing to deliver an abundance of drama, and it really doesn't get much more dramatic than an all-or-nothing battle between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets. Can the Thunder overcome an inspired Nikola Jokić to progress to the West finals? You can watch all the action without spending anything.

If you want to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) in the 2025 NBA playoffs for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7)?

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on May 18. This game takes place at the Paycom Center.

How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) for free

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) in the 2025 NBA playoffs is available to live stream for free on Ran.de.

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

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple 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 Germany

4. Connect to Ran.de

5. Watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) for free

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Learn More

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA playoffs before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Ran.de, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Germany

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets (Game 7) for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Breathe new life into an old computer with the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle, now just $54.97 (reg. $418) through June 1.

You may not have a thousand dollars set aside for a new computer, but what about $55? That’s all it costs to make your old PC feel like new with the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle. It’s just $54.97 (reg. $418) through June 1.

Pay once and enjoy two helpful Microsoft licenses for life

If you have an old PC that could use a little love, show it some TLC with the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle. First up, it outfits your device with Microsoft Office Professional 2021, providing your computer with eight of Microsoft Office’s go-to apps.

From classics like Word and Outlook, to new favorites like OneNote and Teams, these apps help you tackle both personal and professional tasks. And you don’t need to worry that it’s the 2021 edition — this version actually offers three more apps than the 2024 license and lets you work with the familiar interface you know, so there’s no need to relearn anything or navigate new AI tools.

Windows 11 Pro will take your productivity even further. It was designed with the modern professional in mind, so it’s filled with features that help you multitask and knock out to-do lists. It also keeps security top of mind, with new features like a biometrics login, enhanced antivirus protection, and BitLocker encryption.

Both licenses last for life and offer an easy way to upgrade your computer without any recurring monthly charges.

Transform your PC into a multitasking machine with the Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License and Windows 11 Pro Bundle, now just $54.97 (reg. $418) through June 1.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Windows The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $54.97
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TL;DR: Secure 1TB of storage space for life with Koofr Cloud Storage, now for only $119.97 (reg. $810) with code KOOFR through June 1.

Monthly cloud storage fees really add up. If you’re looking for somewhere to tuck away important data safely without paying a small fortune, Koofr Cloud Storage offers a much more affordable option. And you can now secure 1TB of storage for only $119.97 (reg. $810) with code KOOFR through June 1.

Secure storage for 250,000 photos for life with this affordable cloud storage option

Since we all have cameras in our pockets these days, we accumulate tons of precious memories. Koofr Cloud storage is a great way to keep them safe without endless fees, and they’ve been a trusted name on the market since 2013. Unlike most competitors, your data stays safe and private with Koofr — your files are encrypted both in transit and at rest, with absolutely zero tracking.

You’ll receive 1TB of storage for a lifetime with this deal. Wondering how much that really is? It’s the equivalent of 250,000 12MP photos, 500 hours of HD video, or around 6.5 million PDF files.

The Koofr Duplicate Finder feature makes your life a little easier by automatically finding and removing duplicate files so you don’t have to waste your time, letting you enjoy more storage space. And built-in integrations with Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon, and OneDrive make migrating, syncing, and accessing your files super straightforward.

Pay once and keep important data safe for life with this 1TB lifetime subscription to Koofr Cloud Storage, just $119.97 (reg. $810) now through June 1 with code KOOFR.

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TL;DR: The MagTag Ultra Slim Tracker Card looks like a credit card, works like an AirTag, and is only $32.99 (reg. $59.99). 

Bluetooth trackers can be lifesavers, until they’re not. A lot of Bluetooth trackers are bulky, easy to knock loose, and obvious enough for thieves to toss. The MagTag Ultra Slim Tracker Card is a sleek, discreet alternative to AirTags, and it’s cheaper, too. This razor-thin tracker syncs with Apple’s Find My network just like an AirTag but slips unnoticed into wallets, luggage, passport holders, and even ID badges. It’s also on sale for only $32.99 (reg. $59.99). 

The wallet tracker without the awkward design

Designed like a credit card and only 1.5 mm thick, the MagTag is a slim, subtle tracker that blends seamlessly wherever you put it. A built-in keyring hole lets you attach it to lanyards and keychains or even slip it into a child’s backpack for extra peace of mind.

Worried about walking off without your wallet? “Left Behind” alerts send notifications to your phone if it gets too far from the tracker. You can also use the Apple Find My App to pinpoint its real-time GPS location. Can’t find your wallet at home? Trigger the MagTag’s beeping sound right from your phone.

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There’s a limited time — and quantity — to get a MagTag Tracker Card on sale for just $32.99, so act while you still can.

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TL;DR: AdGuard Family Plan is on sale for just $15.97 for lifetime access with code FAMPLAN—block ads, protect your data, and keep your devices clean forever.

Ensuring online safety has never been more important—especially when it comes to protecting our families. As children spend more time online for both education and entertainment, the need for a reliable solution to safeguard them from the pitfalls of the web has become paramount.

AdGuard is a powerful tool designed to provide peace of mind for parents while offering a seamless browsing experience for the entire family. A lifetime subscription to the AdGuard Family Plan covers up to nine devices and is on sale for just $15.97 (reg. $169.99). That’s 90% off.

With its advanced ad-blocking module, AdGuard eliminates the constant barrage of annoying banners, intrusive pop-ups, and disruptive video ads that clutter your browsing experience. But AdGuard goes beyond just blocking ads; it also shields your family from harmful malware and phishing websites, acting as a fortress for your digital life.

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TL;DR: Live stream Chelsea vs. Manchester United in the Women's FA Cup final for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Women's FA Cup final will see Chelsea take on Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.

Manchester United are seeking to retain the trophy after beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 in last year's final. That's not going to be an easy task, because Chelsea stand in their way. Sonia Bompastor's side are seeking a domestic treble after already winning the Premier League and League Cup this season.

If you want to watch Chelsea vs. Manchester United in the Women's FA Cup final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is the Women's FA Cup final?

Chelsea vs. Manchester United in the Women's FA Cup final starts at 1:30 p.m. BST on May 18. This fixture takes place at Wembley Stadium.

How to watch the Women's FA Cup final for free

Chelsea vs. Manchester United in the Women's FA Cup final is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy 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 from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Chelsea vs. Manchester United for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to 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. Live stream Chelsea vs. Manchester United for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Chelsea vs. Manchester United without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream the Women's FA Cup final before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for live sport?

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

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A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Chelsea vs. Manchester United in the Women's FA Cup final for free with ExpressVPN.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

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

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: Successful game

• Green: Three strikes

• Blue: Video games

  Purple: NBA GOAT

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Win

• Green: Strike Out

• Blue: Classic Sports Video Games

• Purple: Associated with Michael Jordan

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 #237 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Win - DUB, TRIUMPH, VICTORY, W

• Strike Out - FAN, K, RING UP, WHIFF

• Classic Sports Video Games - NBA JAM, NFL BLITZ, PUNCH-OUT, TECMO BOWL

• Associated with Michael Jordan - 23, 6 RINGS, HIS AIRNESS, LAST DANCE

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.

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.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 18 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Riding the wind

The words are water-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things used to travel on water.

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 Sailboat

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for May 18

• Mast

• Rigging

• Helm

• Sailboat

• Keel

• Hull

• Rudder

• Stern

• Tiller

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.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for May 18 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: Completed in school

• Green: Nearly there

• Blue: Open-minded

• Purple: The start of the alphabet

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Tasks for a student

• Green: Encouraging responses in a guessing game

• Blue: Up for anything

• Purple: What "A" might mean

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 #707 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Tasks for a student: ASSIGNMENT, DRILL, EXERCISE, LESSON

• Encouraging responses in a guessing game: ALMOST, CLOSE, NOT QUITE, WARM

• Up for anything: EASY, FLEXIBLE, GAME, OPEN

• What "A" might mean: AREA, ATHLETIC, EXCELLENT, ONE

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 18

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for May 18 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's The Mini crossword answers for May 18, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Incredibly angry.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter I appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter L.

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...

LIVID.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 18

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.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A popular short haircut.

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

PIXIE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Uninteresting.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

VAPID

Hurdle Word 3 hint

What one might teach a dog.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for May 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for May 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TRICK

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To aggressively push.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for May 18 Hurdle Word 4 answer

BARGE

Final Hurdle hint

What a tenant signs.

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

LEASE

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

Dangerous Animals has a killer hook: Jai Courtney stars as a deranged serial killer who uses sharks as his weapon of choice.

It sounds bonkers, like something you'd see in an old Batman comic, in an Austin Powers movie, or on late-night TV, back when the ads were all 1-900 numbers. But props to screenwriter Nick Lepard and director Sean Byrne. They bring blood and bite to this funky premise, delivering a movie that's deep in dread, sweat, thrills, and chills. 

Sure, when sharks swim into horror, things can get pretty gnarly. The all-time classic is Jaws, where the gore of chewed-up human remains is balanced with an engaging character-driven drama. Splashier slaughters came from that seminal film's more vicious offspring, ranging from the shark slasher Deep Blue Sea to more realistic thrillers like The Shallows and 47 Meters Down, with the over-the-top Jason Statham adventure The Meg and the proudly trashy Sharknado film series taking a more gonzo approach to the subgenre.

SEE ALSO: Summer Movie Preview: What's coming to theaters and streaming?

Yet, Dangerous Animals isn't of this breed. Instead, sharks in this movie are sort of a bait and switch for something more surprising and far more sinister. 

Dangerous Animals is more serial killer horror than shark creature feature.  Hassie Harrison plays Zephyr in "Dangerous Animals." Credit: IFC Films

Those familiar with Sean Byrne's previous films may not be surprised to discover the sharks aren't the scariest things in Dangerous Animals. No shade to these kings of the ocean. Cinematographer Shelley Farthing-Dawe and editor Kasra Rassoulzadegan masterfully capture and edit shots of sharks swimming with a delicious sense of menace. Some such scenes are so striking in the way they portray the power and size of these creatures that it literally took my breath away. But sharks are not the monsters in this movie. They're just being sharks!

The monster here is Tucker (Courtney), a sun-cooked Aussie who makes a living on the Gold Coast by taking tourists out on his boat to go on shark dives. Sure, many come and go with nothing but a brush with nature and happy memories. But from the film's frightening opening sequence, audiences are made aware of Tucker's dark side. It's not just chum this rugged fellow tosses overboard to the sharks. He feeds them ritualistically, feeling a deep connection to the beasts and taking special pleasure in watching them feast  — on young women specifically.

SEE ALSO: The angry Australian animal Australians are actually scared of

This is in line with Byrne's brand of horror, which tends to center the terrible things mankind does to its own. The Aussie filmmaker made his debut with 2009's The Loved Ones, which centered on a teen girl taking out her most twisted desires on a kidnapped crush. Then in 2015 came The Devil's Candy, starring Ethan Embry as a family man (and metalhead) who strives to protect his teen daughter from the homicidal urges of a mentally ill (or arguably possessed) old man.

Dangerous Animals feels a natural progression for Byrne, containing the heavy-metal energy of his sophomore film with the sadistic glee of his first. And Courtney proves his pitch-perfect collaborator in making a movie that's unrelentingly twisted and rousingly entertaining. 

Jai Courtney is a rip-roaring force of nature in Dangerous Animals.  Jai Courtney plays a serial killer who uses sharks as a weapon in "Dangerous Animals." Credit: IFC Films

The Australian actor has had a fascinating career, having been floated as a possible predecessor for Bruce Willis in the universally panned A Good Day to Die Hard in 2013. He's appeared in several action franchise movies since then, from Divergent to Terminator: Genisys to 2016's Suicide Squad and its odd 2021 pseudo-sequel. But only the last of these — where he played the wild card DC supervillain Captain Boomerang — gave a sense of the unique dichotomy of Courtney's abilities. 

SEE ALSO: 34 bloody excellent Australian horror movies that'll mess you up (and where to watch them)

Broad-shouldered and handsome, he's a natural fit for the action hero mold. But his performance in David Ayer's Suicide Squad showed Courtney could be funny and get weird with it. It was an exhilarating rush to watch him do just that. In Dangerous Animals, he is unleashed. Forget the serious brooding or dashing swagger of bog-standard leading men. Courtney has something more rare and beguiling, a crooked smile that promises trouble and a wild eye that threatens carnage.

In Dangerous Animals, Tucker's sheer brute force makes him scary. But Courtney, finding the fun in playing such a monster, makes the character instantly iconic. He is so undeniably charming in tourist-pleasing mode that it's easy to see how his prey is lured in. For the free-spirited surfer named Zephyr (Hassie Harrison), the heroine at the heart of Dangerous Animals, he disarms her by offering her a favor — no strings attached. But just as quickly as he can flash his teeth in a smile, he can bite. And this makes Byrne's movie more than just a torrid thriller. 

Dangerous Animals is a mesmerizing horror story about toxic masculinity. 

Tucker loves the sound of his own voice. While keeping women locked away in an effectively sound-proofed cell on his boat, he delivers unwelcomed speeches about the nature of animals. Courtney captures the snarling bravado heard on countless macho podcasts, as he drops fun facts about sharks, snakes, and marlins, applying a philosophical varnish on his violence against women. But the visual details of Tucker's ritual, which involves vintage VHS tapes and DIY lures, suggest a more psychological motive rooted in misogyny. And this psychology is just as disturbing as the scenes of violence and slaughter by shark. 

In Dangerous Animals, Byrne and Courtney give us a mesmerizing portrait of toxic masculinity. Tucker compares himself to sharks, because as a man he feels insufficient, especially in the face of women like Zephyr. There's even an implication of impotence that evokes Luis Buñuel's The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de la Cruz, where a man aspires to murder women but never does so by his own hand. Similarly, Tucker uses sharks to commit his crimes.

Terrifying in a real-world sense, Tucker has mastered hiding his rage until he's out on the sea, where there's nowhere to run. The way he can switch from an affable bogan to a snarling beast is riveting, not only for Courtney's quickness but also because this terrible transformation reflects a common fear women have that any random smiling guy on the street might be a monster just beneath the surface. (See the man versus bear debate of 2024.) 

Remarkably, as thematically dark as Dangerous Animals is, watching it is electrifying and wickedly fun. Whether small-talking with a scruffy local, rigging up a victim for feeding time, or dancing around ritualistically to rock music in red underwear, Courtney is a live wire, sparking so intensely that his villain seems capable of anything.

Cheers to Harrison who matches his energy with a solid disgust as Zephyr. Together, they build a cat-and-mouse tale that is jolting, in the way of Byrne's previous films. Just when you think you know where Dangerous Animals is going, it dives even deeper and darker, and we're left catching our breath.

Simply put, Dangerous Animals is a satisfying, sick, and devilishly smart thriller that will excite you in theaters and stalk you on the way home. 

Dangerous Animals was reviewed out of its World Premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The movie will open in theaters in the U.S. on June 12.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new 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. 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.

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: Teams in an AFC division

• Green: Horse races

• Blue: Icons of Milwaukee

  Purple: Legendary coaching history

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: An AFC South Player

• Green: First Words of Famous Horse Races

• Blue: Milwaukee Sporting Greats

• Purple: Teams Coached by Rick Pitino

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 #236 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• An AFC South Player - COLT, JAGUAR, TEXAN, TITAN

• First Words of Famous Horse Races - BELMONT, BREEDERS', KENTUCKY, PEAKNESS

• Milwaukee Sporting Greats - ABDUL-JABBAR, ANTETOKOUNMPO, MOLITOR, YOUNT

• Teams Coached by Rick Pitino - CELTICS, IONA, PANATHINAIKOS, ST. JOHN'S

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.

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.

President Donald Trump is making bank off of cryptocurrency, and Big Tech wants back in on the action.

Meta is now looking to revisit its cryptocurrency plans as Mark Zuckerberg's company looks to launch a stablecoin to facilitate payouts on its social media platforms, according to a new report from Fortune.

SEE ALSO: President Trump’s memecoin made 58 lucky crypto holders $10 million+

According to sources knowledgeable of these preliminary crypto stages, Meta's new stablecoin plans are being spearheaded by the company's VP of product, Giner Baker, who previously worked in fintech and currently serves on the board of crypto organization Stellar Development Foundation. Meta reportedly held discussions with crypto infrastructure companies earlier this year.

Meta's crypto-related plans seem to center on a stablecoin used to facilitate payouts to creators on its platforms, like Instagram.

Meta's stablecoin history

Back in 2019, before the company changed its name to Meta, Facebook announced a sprawling cryptocurrency project that included a new blockchain and crypto wallet for the social media platform. The centerpiece of Facebook's crypto project, however, was the company's plans to create its own stablecoin called Libra.

A stablecoin is a cryptocurrency token that's meant to maintain a stable price. In the crypto space, where the price of crypto tokens and meme coins is, well, unstable, stablecoins are meant to provide holders with a relatively safe place to store their money. (Although even that doesn't always work out.)

Facebook's Libra project hit some early roadblocks. In fact, President Trump, who was serving his first term in office, even shared a scathing critique of cryptocurrency as a whole, specifically mentioning Facebook's Libra. Regardless, Libra continued on. In late 2020, as cryptocurrency was set to boom, Facebook announced a rebrand for the project.

By early 2022, however, the company now known as Meta seemed ready to give up on the Libra project due to regulator scrutiny. Then, crypto came crashing down by mid-2022 as a slew of major cryptocurrency tokens and companies failed. By that summer, Meta shut down the final remnants of its crypto project.

Things are different for crypto now

Fast forward to 2025, and a lot has changed.

President Trump, now serving his second term, feels very differently about cryptocurrency. Trump launched his own meme coin earlier this year. $TRUMP has already resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in profits for the president and his crypto companies from fees alone.

One of Trump's crypto companies, World Liberty Financial, has also launched its own memecoin, USD1. An Abu Dhabi investment firm has already announced a $2 billion investment in Trump's stablecoin.

Congress and financial regulators under Trump have been singing a different tune about crypto too as neither appear likely to take any action regarding these potentially corrupt dealings involving the sitting President of the United States.

So, the moment is ripe for anyone looking to start a crypto scheme, and Meta is apparently poised to take advantage of it.