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Federal officials placed 1,000 employees at Voice of America on indefinite paid leave, while severing contracts with Radio Free Asia and other U.S.-funded networks.

(Image credit: Andrew Harnik)

Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank: review

The Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank is a small power bank with an integrated USB-C cable for added convenience, making it ideal for light travelers. The smart, minimalist looks are welcome too. The Ice Blue colorway I had looked classy, but there’s a Tan variant if you want something a little lighter. Both models are elegant and complement the sleek form of the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank.

In keeping with its uncluttered approach, there’s no screen or interface to speak off, aside from a power check button and four discreet LED dots to indicate battery and charging status. Despite their small size, they’re pleasingly bright, which makes them easy to see at a glance or at a distance.

I also appreciated the small form factor, with its square shape taking up little room. This is all the more impressive considering its 10,000mAh capacity, as not even some of the best power banks this size have such a small footprint. However, it’s thicker than some of them, and while the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank isn’t exactly heavy, it’s not the lightest either.

The plastic material body feels reasonably premium, as it’s smooth to the touch and feels solidly constructed. However, the stress relief for the integrated USB-C cable seems quite flimsy, and I wouldn’t trust it to withstand too many bends or prolonged squashing, so I’d be careful when packing it deep inside a bag. I also wouldn’t use it as a carrying handle, although in fairness, Xiaomi doesn’t mention this as a feature.

Unfortunately, the housing that keeps the jack end stowed away isn’t as secure as I would’ve liked either. It does preserve the perfectly flat contours of the bank, though, as the jack sits flush with the side panel when stowed.

In addition to the integrated cable, the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank also has a USB-A port and a USB-C port. Three-way simultaneous charging is supported too, as well as two-way 30W fast charging.

Charging performance is good, as it managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a, which has a 4,385mAh battery, from empty to full in just over 90 minutes, which is a solid performance.

More impressively, the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank only lost one of its four LED dots, which means you should get between 2-3 full charges of a smartphone out of it. Charging the bank itself takes somewhere between three and a half to four hours, which is reasonable for this battery size.

For the price of £19.99 (about $26 / AU$41), the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank represents good value. Not many power banks with this capacity take up so little real estate, nor have an integrated cable in addition to two extra ports. The cable might not endure as much punishment as others, but for light traveling the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank should make for a convenient companion.

(Image credit: Future) Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank review: price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank? Buy it if…

You want something small
Not many power banks with this capacity are so small, and it’s quite easy to tuck away in a pocket.

You want multiple charges
The Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank only lost one bar after fully replenishing my smartphone, so you should get at least a couple of charges from it.

Don't buy it if…

You’re going to take it on adventure holidays
The Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank is built well enough, but the stress relief for the integrated isn’t the sturdiest, and the jack housing isn’t the most secure.

You want something thin
It may be short across its length and width, but it’s quite thick in terms of depth, which arguably might be the most important dimension for some.

Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank review: Also consider

Iniu B41
The Iniu B41 has the same capacity as the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank but is slightly cheaper, although it has less power and doesn’t have an integrated cable. It does, however, include a handy flashlight. And while it’s longer than the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank, it’s thinner, which might be preferable for some users. The port selection is slightly different too, with two USB-A ports and one USB-C port. Read our Iniu B41 review.

Two back-to-back Israeli airstrikes in northern Gaza killed at least nine people on Saturday, according to Gaza civil defense. Witnesses say several of those killed were aid workers and journalists.

(Image credit: Jehad Alshrafi)

Give a little joy with the perfect board game. Tabletop games are more diverse and popular than ever, which makes them fantastic gift options. There’s something for every player. From kid-friendly family games to heavy strategy quests, these are our expert recommendations of the best board game gifts around.

Can Les Bleus clinch the title in front of a home crowd in Paris?

• Emailtooltester survey finds many employees feel pressured to respond to emails after hours
• Only 41.7% of work emails are deemed relevant by employees
• Three in four workers answer work emails while on vacation

A new survey has claimed 90.4% of American workers support a “right-to-disconnect” law, allowing them to ignore work emails outside of office hours without fear of repercussions.

The study by Emailtooltester of over a thousand Americans revealed the majority of respondents are overwhelmed by the volume of work emails they receive.

On average, the survey found people receive 32 emails a day, with some getting over 50. However, only about 41.7% of these emails are relevant to their work, adding to the frustration.

Email anxiety

Though many email services offer "snooze" or "do not disturb" settings, allowing users to mute notifications outside of work hours, many workers feel pressured to respond quickly. 71.1% of respondents believe that their bosses expect immediate replies to email after hours.

These work emails make 80.8% of respondents feel anxious, while another 58.3% are more anxious about how regularly they have to deal with such emails. Three in four people admitting to answering work emails on vacation.

The survey found constant pressure to stay on top of emails is affecting workers' mental health. 78.7% of respondents have dreaded opening their work inbox, with 58.5% regularly experiencing this anxiety.

The availability of email clients, plus ready support for most email hosting platforms across devices, makes it difficult for workers to switch off mentally. Two-thirds of workers have lost sleep over an email, and 73.6% admit to communicating less with loved ones due to burnout from work-related communications.

This email stress is compounded by mistakes made in the rush to respond. Around 65.1% of respondents reported getting into trouble at work for email mistakes, with some saying they missed important emails due to inbox clutter or messages being sent to spam.

As more people feel the negative effects of constant connectivity, the push for a “right-to-disconnect” law is gaining momentum.

Nearly all respondents (90.4%) agreed that such a law would benefit them, offering protection from out-of-hours work communication.

Similar legislation has already been introduced in France and, more recently, Australia, where employees have the legal right to disconnect from work after hours.

Despite this overwhelming support, 70.6% of respondents believe their bosses would resist such a law. However, the need for boundaries between work and personal life is becoming more apparent as digital communication blurs the line.

You might also like

• We've round up the best temporary email service picks around
• Free email accounts: listed and compared
• We've also listed the best email marketing services right now

• Emailtooltester survey finds many employees feel pressured to respond to emails after hours
• Only 41.7% of work emails are deemed relevant by employees
• Three in four workers answer work emails while on vacation

A new survey has claimed 90.4% of American workers support a “right-to-disconnect” law, allowing them to ignore work emails outside of office hours without fear of repercussions.

The study by Emailtooltester of over a thousand Americans revealed the majority of respondents are overwhelmed by the volume of work emails they receive.

On average, the survey found people receive 32 emails a day, with some getting over 50. However, only about 41.7% of these emails are relevant to their work, adding to the frustration.

Email anxiety

Though many email services offer "snooze" or "do not disturb" settings, allowing users to mute notifications outside of work hours, many workers feel pressured to respond quickly. 71.1% of respondents believe that their bosses expect immediate replies to email after hours.

These work emails make 80.8% of respondents feel anxious, while another 58.3% are more anxious about how regularly they have to deal with such emails. Three in four people admitting to answering work emails on vacation.

The survey found constant pressure to stay on top of emails is affecting workers' mental health. 78.7% of respondents have dreaded opening their work inbox, with 58.5% regularly experiencing this anxiety.

The availability of email clients, plus ready support for most email hosting platforms across devices, makes it difficult for workers to switch off mentally. Two-thirds of workers have lost sleep over an email, and 73.6% admit to communicating less with loved ones due to burnout from work-related communications.

This email stress is compounded by mistakes made in the rush to respond. Around 65.1% of respondents reported getting into trouble at work for email mistakes, with some saying they missed important emails due to inbox clutter or messages being sent to spam.

As more people feel the negative effects of constant connectivity, the push for a “right-to-disconnect” law is gaining momentum.

Nearly all respondents (90.4%) agreed that such a law would benefit them, offering protection from out-of-hours work communication.

Similar legislation has already been introduced in France and, more recently, Australia, where employees have the legal right to disconnect from work after hours.

Despite this overwhelming support, 70.6% of respondents believe their bosses would resist such a law. However, the need for boundaries between work and personal life is becoming more apparent as digital communication blurs the line.

You might also like

• We've round up the best temporary email service picks around
• Free email accounts: listed and compared
• We've also listed the best email marketing services right now

Jacksonville offers several great internet providers, with AT&T as CNET’s top pick. Here are the best options for fast, affordable plans.

CNET's here to help you find the best internet provider in Flint. While Xfinity dominates, alternative options may better suit your needs.

Cuktech 15 Ultra review

The Cuktech 15 Ultra is a power bank with a large output designed for charging laptops and similar devices on the go. There’s no getting around the fact that it’s a sizable unit. It’s admirably thin across its width, but it’s quite long and has a thick depth. This shape may suit some but disappoint others depending on the dimensions and packing arrangements of their luggage.

Its looks aren’t anything special, adopting a two-tone grey and black color scheme that’s not the most vibrant. The front panel for the screen looks smart with its gloss finish, though, while the back panel has a subtle texture that helps with grip slightly.

The build quality of the Cuktech 15 Ultra is quite good, with materials that feel reasonably premium and there’s no flex at all when pressing any side. However, the join as the chassis meets the display is quite prominent, owing to the inset nature of the display panel, so this isn’t as seamless a design as some of the best power banks out there.

The power button is integrated within the display panel, although again there’s a fairly prominent gap around the edges. Oddly, it’s emblazoned with two vertical lines, rather than the standard power symbol, but it’s at least clear to see. It operates very smoothly, providing plenty of feedback when clicked.

The standout feature of the Cuktech 15 Ultra, though, is the screen. It can display information such as total input and output readings, as well as real-time wattage, amperage and voltage. Battery level, estimated charging times, and temperature warnings are also given.

There are also a few settings that can be adjusted using this screen: you can choose whether the first USB-C port is input only, output only, or both; and you can set the screen to always stay on – two useful features I haven’t seen on other power banks.

However, despite the full-length front panel, the actual display only comprises a small area by comparison, meaning all readouts are crammed into a relatively small space, which does compromise readability somewhat.

The Cuktech 15 Ultra features two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, delivering a total output of 165W, or a maximum of 140W from a single port. Three-way simultaneous charging is also possible, although the maximum outputs drop to 100W for one USB-C port, 45W for the other, and 15W for the USB-A port. Three ports might be plenty for some, but there are similarly sized – and even some smaller – power banks out there that manage to pack in four ports.

When it comes to performance, the Cuktech 15 Ultra managed to charge an HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, which can charge at 45W, from empty to 98% in about two hours, which is an impressive performance – and it stayed cool throughout. However, it ran out of battery before it could charge the Chromebook to 100%, so it just falls short of providing even a single full charge for large devices.

Thankfully, charging the Cuktech 15 Ultra itself is quick, as it took me about an hour to top it up from 25% to full. This was via a single USB-C input, but you can use both ports at the same time for increased charging power.

Given its price, the Cuktech 15 Ultra competes with other large power banks, such as the Anker Laptop Power Bank, which is similarly priced. This bank, though, has a slightly larger capacity, and features two inbuilt USB-C for added convenience. However, its display doesn’t quite offer the same wealth of information as the Cuktech 15 Ultra. The two are closely matched, so if you went for the Cuktech 15 Ultra, you likely won’t be disappointed.

(Image credit: Future) Cuktech 15 Ultra review: price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Cuktech 15 Ultra? Buy it if…

You want to charge large devices
The large 165W total output means you should be able to charge many modern laptops.

You want plenty of information
The Cuktech 15 Ultra has some of the most comprehensive information I’ve seen from a power bank display, including readouts for wattage, amperage, and voltage, and various adjustable settings.

Don't buy it if…

You want the largest capacity
The power output might be large, but the 20,000mAh capacity doesn’t quite match up, meaning you might not even get a single full charge of a laptop from it.

You want the smallest power bank
The Cuktech 15 Ultra does an admirable job of condensing all that power into a thin form factor, but it’s still quite thick and long, and not all that light.

Cuktech 15 Ultra: also consider

Anker Laptop Power Bank
If you need plenty of power and output, then the Anker Laptop Power Bank is a great choice. It has similar dimensions to the Cuktech 15 Ultra, but additionally features two inbuilt UCB-C cables: one retractable and one that doubles as a carry handle. It also comes with two extra ports, meaning it beats the Cuktech 15 Ultra by one when it comes to outputs and inputs. While it does have a display, it’s not as detailed as that on the Cuktech 15 Ultra. However, it’s close to the same price (or cheaper in certain regions), yet has the same power output and a slightly greater capacity (25,000mAh).

• Gemini will replace Google Assistant on phones this year
• Currently, the two AI apps can be run alongside each other
• Upgrades for other devices will be announced soon

It's been clear for some time that Gemini is the future of AI assistants as far as Google is concerned, and now it's official: Google Assistant is going to be disappearing from smartphones before the end of the year.

In a blog post (via 9to5Google), Google's Brian Marquardt explains: "Over the coming months, we’re upgrading more users on mobile devices from Google Assistant to Gemini; and later this year, the classic Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices or available for new downloads on mobile app stores."

If you have a phone that doesn't meet the minimum requirements for Gemini, Google Assistant functionality "will not change at this time" – but as those requirements are at least 2GB of RAM, and Android 10 or older, most users will get the upgrade.

Thanks to its generative AI underpinnings, Gemini is much better at chatting and looking up information than Google Assistant, and it's slowly been incorporating all the other tasks that Google Assistant can do on mobile devices. The switchover is now almost done.

Smart speakers and other devices

It's goodbye to the Google Assistant (Image credit: Shutterstock)

For now, Google Assistant will continue to operate on devices such as smart speakers, smart displays, and TVs, Google says – but it's only going to be a matter of time before all these pieces of hardware also get the Gemini treatment.

As for devices that connect directly to phones – like car dashboards, tablets, headphones, and smartwatches – the implication is that a Google Gemini upgrade is more imminent than it is for Nest Hubs and Nest Minis. "We look forward to sharing more details with you in the next few months," writes Marquardt.

The blog post touches on the rapid expansion of Gemini and its capabilities: the AI bot is now available in more than 40 languages across more than 200 countries, and Google says it's been built to carry on the same mission as Google Assistant.

No doubt more upgrades to Gemini are on the way in the months ahead. "We've updated the app to support more of the most requested features, such as playing music, setting timers, or taking action from your lock screen," writes Marquardt.

You might also like

• Gemini is set to replace Google Assistant on your wrist
• The best smart speakers you can buy right now
• How to turn off Google Assistant on your Android phone or tablet

• Gemini will replace Google Assistant on phones this year
• Currently, the two AI apps can be run alongside each other
• Upgrades for other devices will be announced soon

It's been clear for some time that Gemini is the future of AI assistants as far as Google is concerned, and now it's official: Google Assistant is going to be disappearing from smartphones before the end of the year.

In a blog post (via 9to5Google), Google's Brian Marquardt explains: "Over the coming months, we’re upgrading more users on mobile devices from Google Assistant to Gemini; and later this year, the classic Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices or available for new downloads on mobile app stores."

If you have a phone that doesn't meet the minimum requirements for Gemini, Google Assistant functionality "will not change at this time" – but as those requirements are at least 2GB of RAM, and Android 10 or older, most users will get the upgrade.

Thanks to its generative AI underpinnings, Gemini is much better at chatting and looking up information than Google Assistant, and it's slowly been incorporating all the other tasks that Google Assistant can do on mobile devices. The switchover is now almost done.

Smart speakers and other devices

It's goodbye to the Google Assistant (Image credit: Shutterstock)

For now, Google Assistant will continue to operate on devices such as smart speakers, smart displays, and TVs, Google says – but it's only going to be a matter of time before all these pieces of hardware also get the Gemini treatment.

As for devices that connect directly to phones – like car dashboards, tablets, headphones, and smartwatches – the implication is that a Google Gemini upgrade is more imminent than it is for Nest Hubs and Nest Minis. "We look forward to sharing more details with you in the next few months," writes Marquardt.

The blog post touches on the rapid expansion of Gemini and its capabilities: the AI bot is now available in more than 40 languages across more than 200 countries, and Google says it's been built to carry on the same mission as Google Assistant.

No doubt more upgrades to Gemini are on the way in the months ahead. "We've updated the app to support more of the most requested features, such as playing music, setting timers, or taking action from your lock screen," writes Marquardt.

You might also like

• Gemini is set to replace Google Assistant on your wrist
• The best smart speakers you can buy right now
• How to turn off Google Assistant on your Android phone or tablet

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #643).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #644) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• MONSTER
• TAROT
• LIBRARY
• GROUP
• DRACONIAN
• DEBUT
• CONSTELLATION
• ZODIAC
• COLLECTION
• SEVEN
• BALLET
• HYDRANT
• LEONARDO
• CLUSTER
• PSYCHO
• RAPPORT

NYT Connections today (game #644) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Gathered together 
• GREEN: Can’t hear the last letter
• BLUE: Murderers
• PURPLE: Written in the stars

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #644) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: BUNCH 
• GREEN: ENDING WITH SILENT "T" 
• BLUE: SERIAL KILLER MOVIES 
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH CONSTELLATIONS 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #644) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #644, are…

• YELLOW: BUNCH CLUSTER, COLLECTION, CONSTELLATION, GROUP
• GREEN: ENDING WITH SILENT "T" BALLET, DEBUT, RAPPORT, TAROT
• BLUE: SERIAL KILLER MOVIES MONSTER, PSYCHO, SEVEN, ZODIAC
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH CONSTELLATIONS DRACONIAN, HYDRANT, LEONARDO, LIBRARY

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 mistake

This was a Connections where you had to say some of the words out loud in order to get them. And also a cunning edition where the answer to one group (CONSTELLATION) was a word in another (BUNCH).

Initially, these crossovers got me quite confused as I attempted a group with TAROT and ZODIAC and for reasons unknown but vaguely, in my addled reasoning, to do with reading the future added LEONARDO and SEVEN (Leonardo Da Vinci was a visionary whose paintings included what looks like a helicopter, the number seven has mystical properties).

Seeing BUNCH sent me on the right path, before I saw the movie link and started talking to myself.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, 15 March, game #643)

• YELLOW: IMPOSE, AS A PENALTY ASSESS, CHARGE, FINE, LEVY
• GREEN: CHECKOUT LINE IMPULSE BUYS CANDY, CHAPSTICK, CHARGING CABLE, MAGAZINE
• BLUE: MOVIES OF VARIOUS LENGTHS EPIC, FEATURE, FILM SERIES, SHORT
• PURPLE: ___ ROAD DIRT, HIGH, ROCKY, SILK

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #643).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #644) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• MONSTER
• TAROT
• LIBRARY
• GROUP
• DRACONIAN
• DEBUT
• CONSTELLATION
• ZODIAC
• COLLECTION
• SEVEN
• BALLET
• HYDRANT
• LEONARDO
• CLUSTER
• PSYCHO
• RAPPORT

NYT Connections today (game #644) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Gathered together 
• GREEN: Can’t hear the last letter
• BLUE: Murderers
• PURPLE: Written in the stars

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #644) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: BUNCH 
• GREEN: ENDING WITH SILENT "T" 
• BLUE: SERIAL KILLER MOVIES 
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH CONSTELLATIONS 

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #644) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #644, are…

• YELLOW: BUNCH CLUSTER, COLLECTION, CONSTELLATION, GROUP
• GREEN: ENDING WITH SILENT "T" BALLET, DEBUT, RAPPORT, TAROT
• BLUE: SERIAL KILLER MOVIES MONSTER, PSYCHO, SEVEN, ZODIAC
• PURPLE: STARTING WITH CONSTELLATIONS DRACONIAN, HYDRANT, LEONARDO, LIBRARY

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 mistake

This was a Connections where you had to say some of the words out loud in order to get them. And also a cunning edition where the answer to one group (CONSTELLATION) was a word in another (BUNCH).

Initially, these crossovers got me quite confused as I attempted a group with TAROT and ZODIAC and for reasons unknown but vaguely, in my addled reasoning, to do with reading the future added LEONARDO and SEVEN (Leonardo Da Vinci was a visionary whose paintings included what looks like a helicopter, the number seven has mystical properties).

Seeing BUNCH sent me on the right path, before I saw the movie link and started talking to myself.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, 15 March, game #643)

• YELLOW: IMPOSE, AS A PENALTY ASSESS, CHARGE, FINE, LEVY
• GREEN: CHECKOUT LINE IMPULSE BUYS CANDY, CHAPSTICK, CHARGING CABLE, MAGAZINE
• BLUE: MOVIES OF VARIOUS LENGTHS EPIC, FEATURE, FILM SERIES, SHORT
• PURPLE: ___ ROAD DIRT, HIGH, ROCKY, SILK

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #1146).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1147) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1147) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1147) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1147) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1147) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• I

• R

• E

• B

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1147) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1147, are…

• INPUT
• RUMBA
• ELUDE
• BLANK

After back-to-back losses I was happy to complete today’s Quordle, but it was far from straightforward – or quick, as it took me ages to think of words containing U, A and R. Thankfully, guessing MURAL narrowed things down sufficiently.

Woo-hoo, back in the game!

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1147) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1147, are…

• MUMMY
• EXERT
• SCION
• TRIAD

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1146, Saturday 15 March: SPEED, CLASH, RISKY, GRATE
• Quordle #1145, Friday 14 March: BELIE, SPEAR, GROWL, ADOBE
• Quordle #1144, Thursday 13 March: AMISS, METAL, TEARY, SHORT
• Quordle #1143, Wednesday 12 March: AWASH, PUSHY, RALPH, PROOF
• Quordle #1142, Tuesday 11 March: LINGO, JUICE, SHARP, REVEL
• Quordle #1141, Monday 10 March: AVAIL, THESE, TITAN, GAUGE
• Quordle #1140, Sunday 9 March: SKILL, IDEAL, WHERE, REHAB
• Quordle #1139, Saturday 8 March: WATCH, LAPSE, WREST, HEFTY
• Quordle #1138, Friday 7 March: GLEAN, SHINY, DECRY, MANGA
• Quordle #1137, Thursday 6 March: TRICE, EIGHT, BELCH, RIPER
• Quordle #1136, Wednesday 5 March: PLEAD, TWANG, MAJOR, RISKY
• Quordle #1135, Tuesday 4 March: FLOWN, ETUDE, TOPAZ, JOKER
• Quordle #1134, Monday 3 March: FRILL, KAYAK, REBAR, WORDY
• Quordle #1133, Sunday 2 March: TUNIC, GLOSS, DEBUG, LARGE
• Quordle #1132, Saturday 1 March: DENSE, BONEY, KITTY, SMEAR
• Quordle #1131, Friday 28 February: PASTA, RAZOR, PLUMB, DROOL
• Quordle #1130, Thursday 27 February: THIEF, CHAIR, ETHER, GRIME
• Quordle #1129, Wednesday 26 February: LOVER, SPIED, VAPOR, METER
• Quordle #1128, Tuesday 25 February: TWIST, TWEAK, MEANT, CLEAR
• Quordle #1127, Monday 24 February: LEASH, LEVER, TOTEM, CREME

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #1146).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1147) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1147) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1147) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1147) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1147) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• I

• R

• E

• B

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1147) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1147, are…

• INPUT
• RUMBA
• ELUDE
• BLANK

After back-to-back losses I was happy to complete today’s Quordle, but it was far from straightforward – or quick, as it took me ages to think of words containing U, A and R. Thankfully, guessing MURAL narrowed things down sufficiently.

Woo-hoo, back in the game!

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1147) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1147, are…

• MUMMY
• EXERT
• SCION
• TRIAD

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1146, Saturday 15 March: SPEED, CLASH, RISKY, GRATE
• Quordle #1145, Friday 14 March: BELIE, SPEAR, GROWL, ADOBE
• Quordle #1144, Thursday 13 March: AMISS, METAL, TEARY, SHORT
• Quordle #1143, Wednesday 12 March: AWASH, PUSHY, RALPH, PROOF
• Quordle #1142, Tuesday 11 March: LINGO, JUICE, SHARP, REVEL
• Quordle #1141, Monday 10 March: AVAIL, THESE, TITAN, GAUGE
• Quordle #1140, Sunday 9 March: SKILL, IDEAL, WHERE, REHAB
• Quordle #1139, Saturday 8 March: WATCH, LAPSE, WREST, HEFTY
• Quordle #1138, Friday 7 March: GLEAN, SHINY, DECRY, MANGA
• Quordle #1137, Thursday 6 March: TRICE, EIGHT, BELCH, RIPER
• Quordle #1136, Wednesday 5 March: PLEAD, TWANG, MAJOR, RISKY
• Quordle #1135, Tuesday 4 March: FLOWN, ETUDE, TOPAZ, JOKER
• Quordle #1134, Monday 3 March: FRILL, KAYAK, REBAR, WORDY
• Quordle #1133, Sunday 2 March: TUNIC, GLOSS, DEBUG, LARGE
• Quordle #1132, Saturday 1 March: DENSE, BONEY, KITTY, SMEAR
• Quordle #1131, Friday 28 February: PASTA, RAZOR, PLUMB, DROOL
• Quordle #1130, Thursday 27 February: THIEF, CHAIR, ETHER, GRIME
• Quordle #1129, Wednesday 26 February: LOVER, SPIED, VAPOR, METER
• Quordle #1128, Tuesday 25 February: TWIST, TWEAK, MEANT, CLEAR
• Quordle #1127, Monday 24 February: LEASH, LEVER, TOTEM, CREME

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #377).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #378) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Drive to survive

NYT Strands today (game #378) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• SPENT
• MILE
• TIME
• QUINT
• CART 
• LIFE

NYT Strands today (game #378) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #378) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: right, 4th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #378) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #378, are…

• RACE
• QUALIFYING
• PITS
• PODIUM
• PRACTICE
• SPRINT
• SPANGRAM: FORMULA ONE

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Today’s search was all about the many components of a FORMULA ONE event and rather like a Grand Prix circuit it was very quick, very dull and very straight, with hardly any twists and turns.

FORMULA ONE has many things going for it. It’s one of few truly global sporting events, traveling from city to city across continents each week, like an upscale traveling circus – truly the Bond movie of sports.

There are also plenty of elements to enjoy beyond the racing: the high-end technology, the team tactics (how quickly you can take off the tires and put them on again), the glamor and the rivalries (Max Verstappen vs everyone else).

Sadly, though, I can’t watch it because of the annoying noise of the cars. I’d prefer less of the 20-house-flies-trapped-in-a-jam-jar sensation and I’d also prefer it if it reflected real driving, rather than PlayStation driving. Maybe I could suggest a top speed of 20 miles an hour, the occasional speed bump to slow everyone down and stop lights every 400 yards. [Editor's note: Johnny is entirely wrong in his assessment of F1, but I will let it slide]

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, 15 March, game #377)

• NOTEBOOK
• LANYARD
• TOTE
• DECAL
• SHIRT
• BOTTLE
• PENCIL
• SPANGRAM: SWAG BAG

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, March 15 (game #377).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #378) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Drive to survive

NYT Strands today (game #378) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• SPENT
• MILE
• TIME
• QUINT
• CART 
• LIFE

NYT Strands today (game #378) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #378) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: right, 4th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #378) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #378, are…

• RACE
• QUALIFYING
• PITS
• PODIUM
• PRACTICE
• SPRINT
• SPANGRAM: FORMULA ONE

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

Today’s search was all about the many components of a FORMULA ONE event and rather like a Grand Prix circuit it was very quick, very dull and very straight, with hardly any twists and turns.

FORMULA ONE has many things going for it. It’s one of few truly global sporting events, traveling from city to city across continents each week, like an upscale traveling circus – truly the Bond movie of sports.

There are also plenty of elements to enjoy beyond the racing: the high-end technology, the team tactics (how quickly you can take off the tires and put them on again), the glamor and the rivalries (Max Verstappen vs everyone else).

Sadly, though, I can’t watch it because of the annoying noise of the cars. I’d prefer less of the 20-house-flies-trapped-in-a-jam-jar sensation and I’d also prefer it if it reflected real driving, rather than PlayStation driving. Maybe I could suggest a top speed of 20 miles an hour, the occasional speed bump to slow everyone down and stop lights every 400 yards. [Editor's note: Johnny is entirely wrong in his assessment of F1, but I will let it slide]

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, 15 March, game #377)

• NOTEBOOK
• LANYARD
• TOTE
• DECAL
• SHIRT
• BOTTLE
• PENCIL
• SPANGRAM: SWAG BAG

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

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