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SAVE OVER $700: As of March 16, the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max with solar generator is on sale for $1,298.99 at Amazon. That's a 35% discount on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: EcoFlow EcoFlow Delta 2 Max (with Solar Generator) $1,298.99 at Amazon
$1,999 Save $700.01   Get Deal

If you’ve been after a solid portable power station, the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max with solar generator is on sale at Amazon. As of March 16, it’s dropped to $1,298.99 from $1,999, a $700 saving on list price. This is a seriously powerful unit, so if you're looking for a whole home backup, this is your lucky day.

This unit charges quickly thanks to its portable solar panels. A single 400W panel can help it reach full charge in just 5.1 hours and two panels in 2.6 hours. It also supports fast AC charging, reaching 80% in 1.1 hours or 43 minutes with combined solar and AC input using EcoFlow’s dual charging technology.

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It's easy to store, with the solar panels folding away and only weighing 35.3 pounds. They're also waterproof and designed for outdoor use, so take them with you when camping or road tripping.

When charged up, this EcoFlow unit can power pretty much all household devices with up to 2,400W output, or up to 3,400W using X-Boost mode for high-wattage appliances. It has 15 outlets that include USB-A, AC, and car outlets. And you'll be glad to know that this power station is designed for serious use over a number of years. This is thanks to its LiFePO4 battery that's rated for 3,000 full cycles (this is equivalent to over 10 years of use), and comes with a five-year service plan.

Get this EcoFlow deal online at Amazon now.

SAVE $22: As of March 16, the Fire Stick 4K Select is on sale for $14.99 with the code FTVSELECT. That's a 55% discount on the list price, and its best-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Fire Stick 4K Select $14.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $25 Use code FTVSELECT at the checkout Get Deal

The Amazon Fire Stick 4K Select is back on sale at Amazon, but this time it has dropped to a new all-time low price of $14.99. That's more than half off ahead of the Spring Sale. The Select is the newest Fire Stick in the range, released as a more affordable way to bring you 4K streaming.

Like all of Amazon's Fire TV Sticks, this one is a breeze to set up. It plugs directly into your TV's HDMI port (if it sits snug against your wall, don't worry, it comes with an HDMI extender cable). After you plug that in, attach the power cable to the device and then power it from your nearest wall outlet. Then turn your TV on and you're good to go.

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It also comes with a remote with Alexa functionality. Press down the blue button to ask the TV to find your favorite show, research something on the internet, or even communicate with your other smart home devices. This remote can also be used to control your TV, allowing you to power it on and off and adjust the volume.

And of course, you'll get access to a wide range of streaming apps including Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, and many more. Not to mention, you'll be watching in brilliant 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range 10+.

Get this Fire TV Stick deal from Amazon now.

Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold was a brave experiment that largely worked out well, but the experiment might be coming to an end.

A new report from Korean outlet Donga claims that Samsung is ending the sales of the TriFold in Korea just three months after launch. In the U.S., the TriFold is still available, but sales will only continue until the current production volume is sold out.

For such a novelty device – the first Samsung tri-folding phone to hit the mass market – the TriFold was a success. Reviewers loved it (I've tried it briefly, and was impressed by the size and quality of its display when fully unfolded), and it was sold out shortly after launch (though this may be attributed to production volume being small), despite its high price tag of $2,899.

But Donga cites industry sources as saying that the TriFold, while successful, had such high production costs that it was unprofitable even at that price. The costs further increased after the prices of certain parts, including memory chips, have risen through the roof.

The report quotes industry insiders as saying that the TriFold was a product to showcase Samsung's tech prowess, and that it was never intended to generate major sales revenue.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra review: I might be done with iPhones

The question is whether Samsung will follow up with another tri-folding device, or perhaps use some of the tech from the TriFold in one of its upcoming foldables. The company is likely to launch new Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Flip 8 next summer, and a possible "Wide" version of the Galaxy Z Fold is rumored as well.

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

Peter ___ picked...

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

PIPER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A piece of info.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 16, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

DATUM

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A block of steal.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 16 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 16, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

INGOT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To show.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

PROVE

Final Hurdle hint

A Jewish figurine.

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

GOLEM

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

The Oscars are never just about the awards.

Every year, Hollywood’s biggest night delivers a mix of speeches that range from meandering to heartwarming, unexpected wins, awkward jokes, and the occasional moment that immediately takes over the internet. The 2026 Academy Awards were no exception.

From a historic cinematography win to an Oscars crowd waving K-pop light sticks, this year’s ceremony delivered plenty of memorable moments — along with a few that didn't quite land.

Here are the best and worst moments from the 2026 Oscars.

BEST: Conan O'Brien as Aunt Gladys

Leave it to Conan O'Brien to kick off the ceremony with a bit of absurdist physical comedy. During a pretaped opening segment, the host channeled Aunt Gladys from Weapons, a character whose chaotic energy helped earn Amy Madigan the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

In the clip, O'Brien as Gladys is chased through town by a gaggle of children before eventually bursting onto the Oscars stage, children in tow.

BEST: Ryan Coogler and Sinners winning anything

Even if Sinners didn’t ultimately take home Best Picture, the film still had a huge night. Ryan Coogler won his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, while Michael B. Jordan picked up Best Actor, giving the film some of the ceremony's most meaningful victories.

After becoming the most nominated film in Oscar history, the wins felt like a well-earned victory lap for one of the year's biggest cultural moments.

WORST: Cutting off the "Golden" songwriters mid-speech Credit: Stewart Cook/Disney via Getty Images

One of the more awkward moments of the night came when the songwriters behind "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters were cut off mid-acceptance speech by the orchestra. It's a familiar Oscars problem — heartfelt speeches getting rushed for time — but the abrupt cutoff felt especially unfortunate given how big the song has been all year (and how long the Bridesmaids bit ran before it).

WORST: The Bridesmaids reunion that ran a little long Credit: Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty Images

The Bridesmaids reunion delivered a fun hit of comedy nostalgia, with the cast reuniting on stage to celebrate the comedy's 15th anniversary and to present Best Original Score. But what started as a charming throwback slowly stretched into one of the ceremony's longer presentation bits. When winners are getting their speeches cut short, even great comedians can feel like they're taking up too much time.

BEST: Autumn Durald Arkapaw makes Oscars history Credit: Photo by Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images

One of the night's most meaningful wins came when Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman ever to win the Oscar for Best Cinematography, a long-overdue milestone for the category. Moments like this are always a little bittersweet: on one hand, it's an incredible achievement for Durald Arkapaw — on the other, it's hard to believe the Academy is still hitting milestones like this in 2026.

BEST: Michael B. Jordan's emotional Best Actor speech

After winning Best Actor for his performance as twins Smoke and Stack in Sinners, Michael B. Jordan used his speech to thank longtime collaborator Ryan Coogler, saying the director gave him "an opportunity to be seen." It was one of the ceremony’s most heartfelt moments.

Jordan also took a moment to honor the Black actors who came before him, saying, "I stand here because of the people who came before me: Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, Will Smith."

BEST: KPop Demon Hunters winning Best Animated Feature Credit: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

The internet’s favorite animated film finally capped off its dominant awards season run with an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Director Maggie Kang delivered a powerful speech about representation, telling viewers, "This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere."

And as a fun treat for fans, an image of HUNTR/X appeared on the screen behind them, Rumi holding an Oscar.

WORST: Sean Penn not showing up

When Sean Penn won Best Supporting Actor, he wasn't there to accept the award. Presenter Kumail Nanjiani joked that the actor "couldn’t be here tonight… or didn’t want to be," which got a laugh but also underscored how odd it felt to hand out a major acting award without the winner present.

BEST: The Oscars briefly becoming a K-pop concert

During the performance of "Golden," singers EJAE, Rei Ami, and Audrey Nuna turned the Dolby Theatre into something closer to a K-pop concert, with stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Teyana Taylor, and Emma Stone waving their light sticks in the air.

The number also paid tribute to Korean culture, featuring traditional Korean pansori singers and drummers.

BEST: Misty Copeland's surprise ballet moment

The incendiary Sinners musical number featured a surprise appearance by ballet icon Misty Copeland, adding a striking moment of dance to the performance — and landing just a few feet away from Best Actor nominee Timothée Chalamet, whose recent ballet comments have been circulating online.

BEST: A rare Oscars tie

The ceremony delivered a little welcome chaos when Best Live Action Short Film ended in a tie, with both The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva taking home the award.

It's only the seventh tie in Oscars history, a rare moment that briefly disrupted the ceremony's tidy structure and leaned into delightful disarray.

WORST: Trying a little too hard to be "online"

During one particularly unfunny bit, O'Brien explained that the Oscars wanted to appeal to younger viewers, prompting a barrage of internet-adjacent jokes about "hostmaxxing" and references like "6–7." The Oscars have always tried to stay culturally relevant, but here the attempt at online humor felt less like making a connection and more like watching a brand discover Gen Alpha memes in real-time.

BEST: A moving tribute to Rob Reiner

The Oscars' In Memoriam segment honored the many artists the industry lost this year, but it paused for a particularly heartfelt tribute to Rob Reiner from his close friend Billy Crystal.

"I met Mr. Rob Reiner in 1975 when I was cast as his best friend in an episode of All in the Family, and it went so well that Rob said, 'It was fun playing your best friend. Why don’t we keep it going?' And it was a thrill to see him evolve from a great comic actor to a master storyteller," Crystal said.

BEST: Javier Bardem gets political This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Throughout the night, many winners alluded to the state of the world in careful, coded ways — speaking about choosing optimism, resilience, or the importance of art in difficult times without naming specifics. Javier Bardem didn't bother with the euphemisms. When he took the stage as a presenter, the actor delivered a brief but direct message: "No to war. Free Palestine." The moment cut through the ceremony's usual diplomatic language and briefly punctured the careful neutrality that tends to define awards shows.

WORST: Conan O'Brien's post-credits sketch

Post-credits scenes after the Oscars should be illegal. The telecast is already too long as it is! After the ceremony ended, the broadcast returned for a sketch where Conan O'Brien was “killed off” and replaced by YouTuber MrBeast — a gag that needed more context to understand and left viewers wondering if the show really needed one more joke.

Tonight's Moon may look like it is completely out of sight, but if it's a clear night you should be able to spot a very thin sliver of light.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Monday, March 16, the Moon phase is Waning Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 4% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

Unfortunately, too little of the Moon is lit up to be able to spot any features on its surface tonight.

When is the next Full Moon?

In North America, the next Full Moon is predicted to take place on April 1.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes roughly 29.5 days to orbit Earth, passing through eight distinct phases along the way. Although we always see the same side of the Moon, the amount illuminated by the Sun shifts as it moves, which is why it can appear full, half-lit, or just a thin sliver at different times in the cycle. These shifting appearances are known as the lunar phases, and there are eight altogether:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.

Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.

How to play Pips

If you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 16, 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 16, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for March 16 Pips

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

Number (18): Everything in this space must add up to 18. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed vertically.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 16 Pips

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

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally.

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

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

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 6-0, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-6, placed vertically; 3-1, placed horizontally.

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 16 Pips

Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

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

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

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

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

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

Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically; 1-5, placed vertically; 1-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed horizontally; 4-4, placed vertically; 3-3, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (15): Everything in this space must add up to 15. The answer is 1-5, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

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

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

KPop Demon Hunters' uplifting anthem "Golden" has won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, with the Netflix film taking the Oscars for both its nominated categories.

However, while Kpop Demon Hunters' directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans were able to deliver heartfelt acceptance speeches for Best Animated Feature Film, the songwriters of "Golden" were conspicuously cut off when their own moment came.

SEE ALSO: 'Kpop Demon Hunters' director delivers emotional Oscars speech about representation

"Growing up, you know, people made fun of me for liking K-pop," said a tearful EJAE, still wearing the outfit she had performed "Golden" in earlier in the night. "But now everyone's singing our song, and all the Korean lyrics. I'm so proud. And I realise the song, this award is not about success, it's about resilience. And I'm just so grateful to our team."

Alongside EJAE, the Oscar also went to fellow songwriters Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo, and Teddy Park. Unfortunately, the Oscars didn't give them the opportunity to speak as well. Though Lee stepped up to the microphone after EJAE and began reading a prepared speech, he was abruptly cut off by loud music, signaling to the group to get off the stage. They briefly attempted to continue, pleading with the production via gestures, but were not permitted to do so.

The decision to play off the songwriters was met with ridicule online, with some noting that EJAE's statement had been short and that other winners were given more time. The Oscars ceremony had also dedicated significant time to various skits earlier in the evening, including a lengthy bit featuring the cast of Bridesmaids reading notes ostensibly from the audience.

As such, many on social media felt that cutting off KPop Demon Hunters' acceptance speech was a gross misallocation of time.

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KPop Demon Hunters has racked up a slew of wins across ceremonies such as the Critics' Choice Awards and Golden Globes, as well as several for "Golden" specifically.

Mashable’s covering all things Oscars 2026, from Academy Awards live updates to red carpet style and the wildest moments from the show. Check back at Mashable.com throughout the night for winners announcements and more.

Everyone is doing post-credits scenes now: Marvel, DC, even the Oscars.

The 98th Academy Awards concluded not with One Battle After Another's Best Picture win, but rather with a post-credits scene teasing the future of the ceremony, which moves from ABC to YouTube starting in 2029.

SEE ALSO: 2026 Oscar winners: Updating live

The sketch parodies the death of One Battle After Another's Colonel Lockjaw (Academy Award winner Sean Penn), who is gassed by the white supremacist Christmas Adventurers Club for hiding his interracial relationship with Perfidia Beverly Hills (Teyana Taylor) and their child Willa (Chase Infiniti).

In the sketch, a nervous Conan O'Brien fills in for Lockjaw. Fresh off his hosting gig, he meets with his comedy mentor Jim Downey (Saturday Night Live). Downey declares that O'Brien did such a good job, he's been declared "Oscar Host For Life."

That title comes with a fancy new office and a deadly reveal. Like Lockjaw, O'Brien has been locked in. It's not long before he's been fatally gassed and sent to the crematorium. At the end of the Oscars, it's especially dark.

It gets even darker. After O'Brien's demise, the plaque on his "Host For Life" office gets swapped out for that of the next host: YouTuber MrBeast.

Don't worry, the plaque switch doesn't mean MrBeast is actually hosting the Oscars for life (or even next year). Instead, it's poking fun at the Oscars' imminent switch to YouTube, as well as the broadcast's attempts to stay relevant for younger viewers. O'Brien jokingly suggested some solutions throughout the night, including saying "hostmaxxing" and "6-7" while a Subway Surfers game was played alongside him.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is easy for people who like the Yankees.

As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

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

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

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. 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.

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Spreading the wealth

• Green: Ways to play Fantasy

• Blue: Representing the navy blue pinstripes

• Purple: QBs

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Pass

• Green: Descriptors for Fantasy Leagues

• Blue: New York Yankees

• Purple: First Names of NFL Starting QBs

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 #539 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Pass - ASSIST, DISH, DISTRIBUTE, GIVE

• Descriptors for Fantasy Leagues - DYNASTY, KEEPER, REDRAFT, ROTISSERIE

• New York Yankees - FRIED, GIL, JUDGE, RICE

• First Names of NFL Starting QBs - BAKER, DRAKE, JORDAN, LAMAR

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you know US geography.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for March 16, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: They travel together

• Green: Not in a rush

• Blue: Not pronounced

• Purple: There are 50 of them

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Animal group names

• Green: Things associated with being slow

• Blue: Silent "W"

• Purple: Words that sound like state abbreviations

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 #1007 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Animal group names: GAGGLE, PACK, POD, PRIDE

• Things associated with being slow: GLACIER, MOLASSES, SLOTH, TRAFFIC

• Silent "W": CARTWRIGHT, TWO, WRATH, WRESTLE

• Words that sound like state abbreviations: ANY, EMMY, ENVY, OKAY

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 March 16, 2026

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

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

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

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

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 March 16, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 16, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Best of all

The words are related to sports.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe a sports tournament.

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 March Madness.

NYT Strands word list for March 16

• Chalk

• Bracket

• March Madness

• Overtime

• Bubble

• Cinderella

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

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

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

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love a Broadway show.

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 March 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 March 15, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A spectacle.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter A appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

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...

DRAMA

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

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

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

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

Timothée Chalamet is now a four-time Best Actor loser at the Academy Awards, adding another near-miss to his growing collection after failing to take home the trophy for his role as Marty Mauser in Josh Safdie's Marty Supreme. The competition was stiff, but Michael B. Jordan's electric dual performance in Sinners took home the award.

For a very vocal corner of the internet, the loss was cause for celebration.

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Chalamet has been in the crosshairs lately, largely thanks to comments he made in an interview with Matthew McConaughey, in which he dismissed ballet and opera as "no one cares about." The full context of the remarks is more nuanced than the viral clip, but the backlash wasn't really about ballet anyway.

It was the breaking point of a years-long Chalamet saturation event, driven by back-to-back blockbuster press cycles for A Complete Unknown and Marty Supreme, leaving large swaths of the internet completely exhausted by his existence. As a reminder, Dune: Part Three is slated to release in December.

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The show itself was also not kind to Timmy over his ballet and opera comments, and host Conan O'Brien made it known.

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But it's surely not Chalamet's last Best Actor nomination. In fact, the internet should prepare to see more of Timmy next awards season after Dune 3 hits theaters.

Javier Bardem got straight to the point at the 98th Academy Awards.

Before presenting the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, Javier Bardem uttered six words: "No to war and free Palestine."

SEE ALSO: Oscars 2026 live updates: Paul Thomas Anderson wins Best Director, awkward "Golden" moment

It was the most overtly political statement made at this Oscars ceremony so far, one that began on the red carpet for Bardem.

Bardem is sporting two notable pins: A large panel with bloody text reading "No a la guerra" (Spanish for "no to war"), and a circular pin reading "Palestine," along with the image of young boy, Handala, a character created in 1969 by cartoonist Naji al-Ali who has become a symbol of Palestinian resistance.

On the red carpet, Bardem told the Associated Press that the "No a la guerra" pin is the same one he wore to the Oscars in 2003 to protest "the illegal Iraq war."

"[The Oscars] is a great opportunity to say things like 'no to war, no to this illegal war that [is] creating so many deaths,'" he said.

KPop Demon Hunters' HUNTR/X showed the world how it's done, done, done with their Oscars performance of Academy Award-winning hit "Golden."

SEE ALSO: Oscars 2026 live updates: See every major moment

EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami — who provide the singing voices of HUNTR/X members Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho), Mira (voiced by May Hong), and Zoey (voiced by Ji-young Yoo) — took to the Oscars stage in commanding fashion. The performance recreated KPop Demon Hunters' prologue onstage before jumping into a high-energy concert filled with spinning golden flags and those killer high notes.

Plus, HUNTR/X had a little help from the audience, who were holding light sticks that filled the Dolby Theater with — what else? — golden light. While the Oscars performance tragically cut a good chunk of "Golden," at least it gave us Leonardo DiCaprio with a light stick, right?

The "Golden" performance is further proof of HUNTR/X's world domination. "Golden" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making HUNTR/X the first K-pop girl group to achieve the feat. The song also took home the Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media and picked up four additional nominations, including Song of the Year. 

Earlier in the evening, KPop Demon Hunters won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. "Golden" also dominated this awards season, winning the Critics' Choice Award, Golden Globe for Best Original Song, and the Oscar for Best Original Song.

In what is sure to be one of the most surprising moments of the 2026 Oscars, two films tied for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short: The Swimmers and Two People Exchanging Saliva.

As surprising as the moment was, it's not the first time the Oscars have seen a tie. In fact, it has happened six times before.

SEE ALSO: Wildest moments from Oscars 2026

The first tie occurred at the 5th Academy Awards in 1932, when Fredric March and Wallace Beery won for their performances in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and The Champ, respectively. March actually received one more vote than Beery. However, due to rules stating that anyone who came within three votes of the winner would also receive the award, both actors took home the trophy. The rules have since been changed so that only an exact tie will count. That gives you an idea of just how rare the next ties were.

In 1949, at the 22nd Academy Awards, documentary shorts A Chance to Live and So Much for So Little tied for Best Documentary (Short Subject).

At the 41st Academy Awards in 1968, Katharine Hepburn (The Lion in Winter) and Barbra Streisand (Funny Girl) tied for Best Actress for their work.

Documentaries Artie Shaw: Time Is All You've Got and Down and Out in America tied for Best Documentary at the 59th Oscars in 1986.

The Swimmers and Two People Exchanging Saliva aren't the first Best Live Action Shorts to tie. Back in 1994, Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life and Trevor both won the Oscar.

The last tie before 2026 was in 2012, at the 85th Academy Awards, when Skyfall and Zero Dark Thirty took home the Oscar for Best Sound Editing.

With The Swimmers and Two People Exchanging Saliva join these films in the Oscar Tie club, which is rare enough that "you just ruined 22 million Oscar pools," host Conan O'Brien joked.

Mashable’s covering all things Oscars 2026, from Academy Awards live updates to red carpet style and the wildest moments from the show. Check back at Mashable.com throughout the night for winners announcements and more.

KPop Demon Hunters has won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film at the 2026 Oscars, surprising everyone who hasn't been anywhere near the internet over the past year. The Netflix film has dominated music charts and awards shows since its release last June, now adding an Oscar to its list of accolades.

Director Maggie Kang accepted KPop Demon Hunters' first Oscar alongside fellow director Chris Appelhans and producer Michelle L.M. Wong, delivering an emotional speech about representation.

"To all the fans who got us here and for all of those who look like me, I am so sorry that it took us so long to see us in a movie like this," said Kang. "But it is here, and that means that the next generations don't have to go longing. This is for Korea and for Koreans everywhere."

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Appelhans also took a moment to encourage emerging artists to create art that is true to themselves, stating that they will find an audience for it.

"I just want to take a moment to say to all the young filmmakers, artists, musicians in all corners of the globe: tell your story, sing in your voice," Appelhans said. "I promise you the world is waiting."

Adding a very cute touch to the proceedings, the Oscars also displayed an image of KPop Demon Hunters' HUNTR/X members Rumi, Mira, and Zoey accepting the trophy.

Credit: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

KPop Demon Hunters has been unstoppable this awards season, picking up Best Animated Feature at the Critics' Choice Awards and Golden Globes, as well as sweeping the Annie Awards, which recognise the best in animated film and TV. Its smash hit song "Golden" has been picking up trophies left, right, and centre, taking home the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media. "Golden" is nominated for the Academy Award for Best Music (Original Song), the second of KPop Demon Hunters' two Oscar nominations.

If there’s anything last year’s Qantas data breach has taught us, it’s that your online information isn’t as secure as you think it is. While you may think you’ve secured your digital footprint by using ‘strong’ passwords or switching to incognito mode, there’s a world of online trackers and threats waiting for one slip-up to weasel their way onto your devices. And unfortunately, slip-ups do happen from time to time.

Before you purchase with your card details or enter your shipping address, we at PCMag have a couple of tips to make sure your data is secure while browsing online:

Regularly Change Your Passwords

Though this seems pretty obvious from the outset, remembering to regularly change your passwords is harder than you think—especially when you’re one to forget easily. Yet, the first and best way to maintain your security is to switch up your credentials every few months. If you often struggle thinking of a strong password, you can always rely on Bitdefender’s Password Manager to store or generate a password mixed with letters, numbers, and symbols. Your online security will be stronger than ever.

Be Wary of Suspicious Links and Attachments

Using phishing emails or links to infect your devices is a hackers’ favourite way to get your personal details. So, the last thing you want to do when a dubious email or link makes its way into your inbox or messages is click it. However, if you do, make sure you don’t enter in any personal or banking details. If you’re unsure about any links or texts you’ve been sent, Bitdefender’s Scamio and Email Protection software will scan your online activity and inbox for any devious threats lurking beneath the surface. You’ll be fully aware of any threats to your information in no time.

Trust in Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

There’s no such thing as being “overly secure,” and setting up two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts is a great example. A security method meant to shield your accounts from phishing or hackers, 2FA pairs your password with an additional layer of identity verification—ranging from PIN codes and personal questions to security tokens and smart keys. Should any break-ins or data breaches occur, you’ll be thankful this extra layer of protection will keep your information protected.

Keep Your Devices Updated

We’ve all been frustrated by a random system update. However, updating your devices with the latest software protects your tech from vulnerabilities hackers often exploit. Though you might hesitate to install a major operating system update (or simply don’t have the time and energy to sit through the update), any weaknesses will be patched up quickly and easily so your system runs smoothly and safely. Not only that, keeping your system, browser, and apps up-to-date also helps extend the life of your devices.

Invest in Antivirus Software

You know what they say: it’s an oldie but a goodie. Investing in robust antivirus software is a surefire way to maintain the security of your personal data. One of our personal favourite Antivirus suites of 2026, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus, keeps your devices protected against the Trojans, ransomware or spyware that try to set up shop on your devices. Yet, if you’d prefer an even higher level of protection, Bitdefender Ultimate Security comes equipped with an unlimited VPN, anti-tracker extension, and comprehensive email and SMS protection. Check out our extensive coverage for more information.

Stay On Top of Your Cyber Security Needs

Hackers and online scammers will stop at nothing to get hold of your personal information, but you don’t need to suffer at the hands of a data breach you can’t prevent. While you can always rely on us here at PCMag to keep you informed on the best security suites on the market, Bitdefender is the next best one-stop-shop for keeping your life confidential—and you can always check out the Bitdefender blog for more online security tips and tricks, too.

After a harrowing, Weapons-style chase to the Dolby Theater, Oscars host Conan O'Brien made it to the stage to deliver a monologue that pokes fun at some of the hottest topics in Hollywood, including AI.

SEE ALSO: Conan O'Brien channels 'Weapons' Aunt Gladys in glorious Oscars cold open

"I am honored to be the last human host of the Academy Awards," O'Brien said to start his monologue. "Next year it's going to be a Waymo in a tux."

O'Brien also threw shade at Timothée Chalamet's recent viral comments about opera and ballet, saying there was increased security at the Oscars due to "concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities."

O'Brien's monologue also gestured towards political unrest, albeit vaguely.

"If I could be serious for just a moment, everyone watching right now around the world is all too aware that these are very chaotic, frightening times. It's at moments like these that I believe that the Oscars are particularly resonant," O'Brien said. "Check it out. Thirty-one countries across six continents are represented this evening, and every film we salute is the product of thousands of people speaking different languages, working hard to make something of beauty. We pay tribute tonight, not just to film, but to the ideals of global artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience, and that rarest of qualities today, optimism."

Things didn't stay too serious for long, though, as O'Brien closed the monologue with a reenactment of what it would look like if he won an Oscar. Spoiler alert: It involves the Pope, Josh Groban, and a falcon carrying his trophy down to him.

Watch O'Brien's full monologue above.

Mashable’s covering all things Oscars 2026, from Academy Awards live updates to red carpet style and the wildest moments from the show. Check back at Mashable.com throughout the night for winners announcements and more.