Technology

• Nintendo's list of compatible Switch games for Switch 2 has been updated
• The company has identified well over 100 games with start-up issues
• The vast majority should still work without issue on the new system

The list of Nintendo Switch 2 games that could have compatibility issues at launch has been updated by the company.

Nintendo's compatibility page has links to three PDFs. These highlight 115 games "with start up issues on Nintendo Switch 2," 46 games that successfully start up but may have some compatibility issues, and finally 49 games that have issues "planned to be addressed at launch or shortly after."

Furthermore, Nintendo has highlighted software that outright cannot be used on Nintendo Switch 2. These include Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit, as well as video apps including Crunchyroll, Niconico, Abema, and Hulu. The comics and manga app InkyPen will also be unusable. It remains to be seen if these apps will receive dedicated Switch 2 versions in the future.

Lastly, a bunch of original Nintendo Switch games will require the use of that console's Joy-Con controllers, and presumably won't be compatible with the Joy-Con 2. These are as follows:

• Ring Fit Adventure
• 1-2 Switch
• Everybody 1-2 Switch!
• Game Builder Garage
• Nintendo Switch Sports
• WarioWare: Move It!
• Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit
• Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit
• Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Vehicle Kit

So far, Nintendo has tested well over 15,000 Nintendo Switch games for Nintendo Switch 2. The vast majority, around 99% of Nintendo games and 65% of third-party games, have no compatibility issues.

For everything else, the issues are at least being investigated by Nintendo, and it should be fair to expect most Switch 1 games to work just fine on Switch 2 by the end of 2025.

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• Anthropic is rolling out a new voice mode for its AI chatbot Claude
• You can use it to search Google Calendar and Gmail on a paid plan
• Voice mode will also be available on the free tier, but with usage limitations

Claude, the popular AI chatbot from Anthropic, is rolling out a voice mode to all its mobile app users. Whilst still in beta, the new voice mode will be in English and accessible for users on all current plans, including the free plan.

Voice mode with Claude works just like voice mode in Gemini or ChatGPT. In fact, you tap on an icon that looks pretty much identical to the Gemini Live icon to activate it.

Once voice mode is activated, you just start talking to Claude to hear its voice responses. As it talks, it displays its key points on screen, which enables you to seamlessly switch between text and voice within the same conversation.

You get five different Claude voices to choose from, according to the Claude voice mode documentation, and you can change between them at any time by simply going to Settings, then Voice Preferences.

Hey Claude

You can get a preview of how voice mode will work in Claude thanks to a handy video Anthropic has posted on X.com:

We're rolling out voice mode in beta on mobile.Try starting a voice conversation and asking Claude to summarize your calendar or search your docs. pic.twitter.com/xVo5VHiCEbMay 27, 2025

The video demonstrates how, by simply talking to Claude (even while brushing your teeth) you can get the AI to check your calendar, search through your Gmail inbox or Google Drive, and even draft an email for you.

This kind of ability moves Claude firmly into the role of a digital assistant however it’s worth noting that Gmail and Google Calendar integrations are only available on Claude’s paid plans, which start at $20 (around £16 / AU$32)for a Pro account, and go up to $200 (around £148 / AU$311) a month for Max 20x.

Usage limits

You don’t get unlimited access to voice conversations in Claude. Each conversation counts towards your regular usage limits based on your subscription plan.

Free users of Claude can expect approximately 20-30 voice messages before reaching session limits, while paid plans have significantly higher limits.

Voice mode is a timely upgrade to Claude, which was lagging behind its rivals, ChatGPT and Gemini, by not providing a voice mode. Anthropic has also just updated Claude's LLM to Claude Opus 4.0 and Claude Sonnet 4.0. Opus 4.0 is a powerful AI model that excels at coding, while Sonnet is a lightweight model designed for regular use and a big improvement on the previous Sonnet 3.7 model.

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• Lilo and Stitch fans are raging about the changes made to the story's ending
• The live-action remake's final scene is completely different from the animated classic
• Viewers are heading to Disney+ to watch the original movie and its sequels amid the controversy

Disney's live-action remake of Lilo and Stitch might be breaking records at the global box office, but it's also breaking long-time fans' hearts over the unnecessary change to the story's ending.

Following its release last Friday (May 23), one of 2025's most anticipated new movies set a new record for the largest four-day Memorial Day weekend in the US. Indeed, according to an official press release from The Walt Disney Company, Lilo and Stitch's reimagining earned over $182 million stateside and $361 million worldwide across its opening weekend.

It's not all good news for the rambunctious but lovable blue alien and his Hawaiian counterpart, though. Despite also earning a 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, some viewers have hit out at Disney for altering the film's final scene – a creative decision that's infuriated some who adored the 2002 animated original.

Full spoilers immediately follow for 2002 and 2025's Lilo and Stitch.

"Ohana means family", unless your sister wants to pursue her own career on the other side of the US (Image credit: Disney)

In the original, the film ends with Stitch remaining on Earth with Lilo and her older sister Nani. That's because, according to an adoption form that the pair signed at an animal shelter that was housing Lilo (he was presumed to be a dog at the time), Nani and Lilo legally own him.

However, the live-action remake upends that heart-warming ending. Instead of staying with Stitch and her younger sibling and rebuilding their family home, Nani heads off to the University of California to study marine biology. Meanwhile, Lilo and Stitch are taken in by David and Tutu, with the latter duo becoming the former pair's guardians.

Why has this alteration enraged fans? Because, in some viewers' eyes, Lilo and Stitch's most recognizable line of dialogue – "Ohana means family" – and, by proxy, the film's primary theme, is completely ruined by the fact that Nani leaves her sister and Stitch behind to study on the other side of North America.

Indeed, numerous irked fans have taken to Reddit to express their frustration and exasperation over the unwelcome change. "I’m happy Nani got her ending," Parmesan_Pirate119 wrote, "But it felt forced and untrue to the original spirit of the film."

Comment from r/disney

"This was not a Lilo & Stitch story, this was a Nani story," an annoyed TownIdiot25 said. "And, as a Nani story, I don’t like how they completely changed the ending when it comes to the guardianship-of-Lilo situation."

"In the end, they actually have Nani give Lilo up to the neighbors (...though nani gives lilo up to state first) and go to college instead, which feels completely wrong and out of character," spider-man2401 added. The most frustrated reaction that I've seen, though, comes from noakai, who wrote: "Nani agreeing to give custody of Lilo to the state and then Lilo going to live with other people so Nani could go to California for college is so amazingly stupid I can't believe they went with it."

This quartet is a mere snapshot of fans vexed by the change, but there are some who have defended the remake's final sequence. For example, MrChiquitaBananaRN said: "The ending will be the big divide – Ohana IS family, but Ohana is also found family (i.e. Stitch). So, Lilo telling Nani to 'go to the marines' and Nani actually doing it, while Lilo has her new support system there, I think it works."

2002's Lilo and Stitch movie is the most popular film on Disney+ in the US and UK right now (Image credit: Disney+)

Regardless of what people think of Lilo and Stitch's modified ending, there's one unmistakable positive impact that the remake has had: it's caused an uptick in the number of people watching the original and its sequels on Disney+.

Indeed, in the UK, viewers have flocked to one of the world's best streaming services to watch the 2002 animated movie and its sibling films. At the time of publication, Lilo and Stitch is the number one movie on Disney+ UK, with Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch placing at number two. Stitch! The Movie and Leroy and Stitch find themselves at numbers five and six, respectively.

It's a similar story in the US, with Lilo and Stitch sitting atop of the most-streamed movies list and Stitch! The Movie ranked at number two. Leroy and Stitch is in fifth position, too.

Will these flicks have staying power on Disney+? Probably not. They've likely seen a surge in viewership off the back of the remake's release and the controversy surrounding its ending. Nevertheless, it's interesting to see how well these animated films are performing on Disney's primary streamer. Maybe 2002's Lilo and Stitch deserves a spot on our best Disney+ movies list!

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The cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, with new threats and solutions appearing every day. But the rate of change in the past two years, intensified by the mass implementation of AI, has seen meteoric growth in the number of cyber-attacks. Unfortunately for businesses and their IT security teams, AI-driven attacks are becoming more sophisticated, and businesses must rethink their security strategies to stay resilient in the face of changing cyber threats.

Accelerating security and networking enhancements will continue to take center stage for UK organizations in 2025, but added complexity can slow enterprises down. Adding simplicity as a key vector for networking and security posture optimization is key to successful, secure connectivity strategies for the year ahead.

The growing threat of AI-powered attacks

In today’s threat landscape, cybercriminals are leveraging artificial intelligence to orchestrate attacks with unprecedented speed and accuracy. AI’s capability to identify vulnerabilities, craft hyper-realistic phishing scams, and execute complex malware campaigns is increasing the difficulty of threat detection and mitigation. One of the most concerning trends is the rise of “deep phishing” attacks, where AI-generated deepfake content is used to impersonate trusted individuals and deceive employees into revealing sensitive information.

Cyber breaches are already a top concern for organizations, downtime prevention and data protection taking center stage, but what is more unsettling is not being aware when a breach occurs. The longer an attacker remains in the system - intruder dwell times can range from several weeks to months and even over a year - the more costly and damaging these “silent breaches” become. Being unable to identify when a breach took place means that restoring systems to a safe version is much harder.

To counteract these risks, organizations need to deploy security tools capable of recognizing behavioral anomalies and responding in real time to potential breaches.

AI cyber defense - the other side of the cybersecurity coin

As the advent of AI presents new security challenges, it also offers us the tools to strengthen cyber defenses. AI-based networking assistants and correlation engines are gaining traction, providing advanced capabilities in real-time threat detection and response.

The potential for human-supported with various degrees of AI autonomy for secure networking deployments is being explored, which could change how enterprises approach security and networking. By leaning into AI-led penetration testing, automated vulnerability mitigation, and self-healing network infrastructure AI is revolutionizing security strategies.

With intuitive AI tools, security teams can gain deeper insights into vulnerabilities and rapidly address potential threats. This will be particularly crucial as UK businesses face a growing cybersecurity skills gap, requiring intelligent automation to bridge expertise shortages and upskill quickly. In 2025, we will see more businesses will turn to AI-driven security intelligence tools that allow teams to query complex security data using natural language interfaces.

The democratization of security intelligence through intuitive AI tools will empower non-experts to play an active role in cyber threat mitigation. This shift will be instrumental in fostering a culture of shared responsibility between IT and security teams, enhancing collaboration and improving overall security outcomes.

The shift from prevention to incident response

While traditional security strategies have focused on threat prevention, 2025 will also see a distinct shift towards rapid incident response. Companies will do well to prioritize detecting and containing breaches to augment preventive measures, increasingly allocating budget resources to solutions that enable swift incident identification and response.

This shift reflects an understanding that breaches cannot always be prevented, and in reality, should be expected. Instead, mitigating their impact through rapid detection and containment will be the key to minimizing damage.

One development that is representing this shift is the adoption of self-healing security systems. These AI-powered systems can autonomously detect, analyze, and respond to threats, significantly reducing response times and mitigating damage.

Indeed, using machine learning, self-healing networks can dynamically adjust a company’s cybersecurity measures based on real-time risk assessments. This self-healing security will be a game-changer, as automated incident response will enable businesses to bolster their security teams and protect their assets. AI and human partnerships can help businesses strengthen their overall resilience when facing a cyber-attack.

So, what’s next for businesses navigating the threat landscape?

As cyber threats become more advanced, businesses must embrace a holistic approach to security, that can introduce simplicity for observability, control, management and response. Consolidating cyber defense, network and data management, and operational resilience into a single, integrated platform will help organizations navigate the increasingly turbulent threat landscape efficiently.

This access to and complete visibility over these systems and tools means that teams can identify risks and opportunities as a passive activity, and invest time into value-driving initiatives, as opposed to combing through multiple applications for status updates.

Ultimately, 2025 will be the year where more AI-driven corporate security strategies move from theory to practice. Organizations that proactively adapt to these emerging trends will be better equipped to withstand the ever-evolving challenges of the digital age. For businesses, staying ahead of the curve will require embracing automation, strengthening incident response capabilities, and continuing to hold security as an organizational priority.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Security researchers spot new campaign targeting Docker instances
• The attack deploys a cloud crypto miner, and a worm for further propagation
• The miner generates the Dero currency

Hackers are building a botnet out of misconfigured Docker API instances and using it to mine the Dero cryptocurrency, experts have warned.

Security researchers from Kaspersky reported finding a “container zombie outbreak” that started with an exposed Docker API.

“This led to the running containers being compromised and new ones being created not only to hijack the victim’s resources for cryptocurrency mining but also to launch external attacks to propagate to other networks,” they explained.

Negotiations ongoing?

In this zombie outbreak, the “patient zero” is a misconfigured API that’s left open to the internet. There, the attackers deploy a piece of malware disguised as ‘nginx’, a high-performance, open-source web server and reverse proxy server.

The malware scans for vulnerable instances and infects them, and then creates new malicious containers and forces existing ones to mine Dero. At the same time, it continues to spread to other systems.

This is a two-step process, Kaspersky explains. Nginx is the propagation tool that scans for new victims, with the miner being a cloud-based solution. Both components are written in Golang, which makes them rather difficult to detect.

Kaspersky also says that unlike traditional cryptojacking campaigns, this one doesn’t rely on a command & control (C2) server, but instead spreads autonomously, like a worm.

Users running Docker should check their API settings, and make sure it’s not exposed to the internet. Furthermore, they should fortify their login credentials, and perform regular security audits and monitoring.

While cybercriminals usually hijack servers to mine Monero with the XMRig, this is not the first time researchers spotted Dero. According to The Hacker News, CrowdStrike saw Kubernetes clusters being targeted back in March 2023, and a subsequent iteration of the same campaign was spotted by Wiz in June 2024.

Similar to Monero, Dero is also a privacy-focused Layer 1 blockchain, built to support decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts.

Via The Hacker News

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The AI race is accelerating, with tech giants announcing multi-billion-dollar investments to supercharge computing power and infrastructure. From headline making supercomputer projects to record-setting data center expansions, the scale of ambition is unmatched.

This surge, supported by billions in investment from governments and corporations, has extended from advanced chipmaking to the expansion of high-powered data centers. The AI market has tripled in size over the past year alone and is expected to quadruple again by 2030.

Yet alongside the opportunity lies a growing complexity. AI brings with it a new wave of environmental, ethical, and operational challenges that organizations, particularly their boards, must confront with urgency. While the excitement around AI often focuses on what it can do, there is an equally critical question being: is it being done responsibly?

Board visibility and decision-making are becoming ever more important to navigate the opportunities and challenges.

But the challenge of keeping pace with AI’s rapid evolution while sustaining progress on long-term sustainability goals remains. Addressing this requires a governance approach that is both agile and strategic, capable of enabling quick decisions, without compromising ethical considerations. One that requires stronger alignment between technology, ESG targets, and long-term value creation.

AI – both part of the problem and the solution

AI is already testing the boundaries of many companies’ ESG strategies. We’ve already seen big corporations like the famous GAFAM (Google, Amazon, Meta, Apple, Microsoft) struggling to manage the environmental impact of AI expansion, with some AI investments consuming millions of liters of water or gigawatts of power.

That said, organizations are also exploring how AI can actively support in reducing emissions through the additional capabilities it brings to the table.

Optimizing energy & asset utilization in data centers through AI driven workload and capacity distribution is one of the promising use cases AI bring to the table.

Greater visibility on current status and data-driven insights on sustainability projects with direct prioritization based on ROI and impact, is another one. For example, conversational AI tools designed to help business leaders see and interact with their energy and sustainability data. Tools like this allow companies to ask natural language questions about their energy use and sustainability projects, instantly generating prioritized recommendations to maximize carbon reduction and financial return.

These initiatives, among others, show that while AI presents new sustainability challenges, it can also be part of the solution. The central question for companies of all sizes is how to understand how AI can apply to their business model and operating models in a way that bring tangible business value, but also how that usage is meaningful with regards to the resource consumed for it, which are not yet part of the economic equation of AI business models for the time being, without losing eye on the longer term implications of AI.

Indeed, responsibly embracing its potential without compromising environmental targets or stakeholder trust is key. Maximizing it’s impact on workforce future proofing & ethical usage with regards to customers are others aspects to look into.

Boards have a central role to play in this balancing act. As stewards of long-term strategy, they are uniquely positioned to oversee the development of frameworks that can mitigate AI’s risks- while unlocking its potential to support sustainability goals.

However, this requires foresight, subject matter expertise, and adaptability to the sheer speed of evolution we see in the AI space, and hence an updated and adapted governance structures that is adapted to the pace of change.

Evolving board structures for effective AI Oversight

To manage AI’s risks and opportunities effectively, organizations need to evolve their own internal governance structures. One way companies are doing this is by including dedicated AI or technology oversight committees. These may be supported by panels of external advisors, futurists, ethicists, data scientists who help translate emerging risks into actionable insight.

Equally important is the distribution of responsibility across the board, ensuring that AI oversight doesn’t rest with a single function or team. Adapted executive compensation and well defined leading and lagging KPIs, tied to the outcomes and progress sought after are a good way to ensure the above.

Education is also a critical enabler here. Many board members (but also executives!) today are not technologists, and that’s entirely reasonable. However, in the context of AI’s growing influence on strategy, risk, and reputation, a baseline understanding of its capabilities and implications is now essential. Ongoing board & executive education, training programs, and engagement with research institutions or industry conferences will help bridge this gap and ensure AI oversight is both informed and effective, beyond the current hype seen in the market.

Another practical mechanism for improving oversight is the use of real-time metrics. Much like ESG dashboards that track emissions or water usage, similar systems should be developed for AI-related performance, ethics, and environmental impact. These tools can give board members a clearer view of how AI is evolving inside the business, whether it’s aligning with sustainability commitments or where interventions may be needed.

Empowering the ecosystem

Importantly, boards must also consider how AI’s effects ripple through their entire value chain, especially for large corporations aiming to reduce Scope 3 emissions.

Be it the need for resources the investment in AI will require; to the issues (including Sustainability related ones) companies will be enabled to solve with AI tools. Implications certainly do not limit themselves to the very company’s very own operations but go across. In this context, a company’s business ecosystem is a strategic resource giving access to expertise, applied knowledge, access to markets and customers, as well a common drive for mutual success, and should not be overlooked, but rather engaged and if possible embedded when making plans in order to reach objectives.

Building transparent, structured frameworks that boards & executives can look to when shaping responsible AI strategies inclusive of the whole value chain will help maximize outcomes and turn sustainability and AI from siloed priorities into shared ecosystem goals that can drive impact at scale.

Future proofing governance

In the end, the challenges AI presents are significant, and hence need to be anticipated for financial returns and impact maximization. The key lies in understanding the speed and scale at which technology evolves and responding with governance that is equally adaptive, in term of knowledge (or access to it), access to data and insights, and with strong frameworks to maximize value and mitigate risks across the value chain, with strong translation mechanisms into the business operations, including through executive compensation mechanisms.

Whether through dedicated oversight committees, external advisory panels, real-time performance dashboards, companies have the tools to lead responsibly. Boards that embrace this moment, investing in education, fostering cross-functional agility, and embedding sustainability at all levels-will be better positioned to harness AI for long-term impact, not just for short-term gains.

As we look to the future, one thing is clear: effective AI governance is no longer optional. It is a fundamental requirement for preserving stakeholder trust, delivering on climate commitments, and ensuring that innovation serves the business together with people and the planet.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

FromSoftware's first multiplayer game is as tough as its oeuvre, sure to please longtime fans and test new ones.

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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, May 28 (game #1220).

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 #1221) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.

* 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 #1221) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1221) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo 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 #1221) - 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 #1221) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• C

• D

• S

• N

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

Quordle today (game #1221) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1221, are…

• CRIER
• DRAPE
• STRUT
• NEIGH

A tricky Quordle today thanks to a pair of double letter words in CRIER and STRUT.

Had I gone with COULD instead of WOULD as a starter word I might have reduced my thinking time a little, but that’s the only wrong choice I made. Getting out after seven turns feels good after a run of close shaves. 

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1221) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1221, are…

• SOBER
• SHIRE
• CHEAT
• IDYLL

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1220, Wednesday, 28 May: HELLO, BEADY, VIGIL, PURER
• Quordle #1219, Tuesday, 27 May: TWEET, RANGE, POPPY, RADAR
• Quordle #1218, Monday, 26 May: BLEAT, HOWDY, ASIDE, SCOOP
• Quordle #1217, Sunday, 25 May: OCEAN, AMBER, PIPER, GLEAN
• Quordle #1216, Saturday, 24 May: HUSKY, HEIST, FOGGY, POLAR
• Quordle #1215, Friday, 23 May: SHIRE, GIANT, AWAIT, CAPER
• Quordle #1214, Thursday, 22 May: LOSE, GLOVE, STINT, EXCEL
• Quordle #1213, Wednesday, 21 May: NOVEL, CHOSE, DIRTY, DONUT
• Quordle #1212, Tuesday, 20 May: DECOY, SHAKE, MAPLE, PURER
• Quordle #1211, Monday, 19 May: LINK, HANDY, DITCH, WAIVE
• Quordle #1210, Sunday, 18 May: QUACK, ROACH, PURGE, DOWNY
• Quordle #1209, Saturday, 17 May: STRIP, RANGE, UNITE, GEESE
• Quordle #1208, Friday, 16 May: SHEEP, SNUCK, DRIFT, BREAK
• Quordle #1207, Thursday, 15 May: PAINT, CROUP, PEDAL, FLUKE
• Quordle #1206, Wednesday, 14 May: FAVOR, METER, PICKY, MAKER
• Quordle #1205, Tuesday, 13 May: SCENT, AGAPE, POLAR, YEARN
• Quordle #1204, Monday, 12 May: ROYAL, ARGUE, BUNCH, READY
• Quordle #1203, Sunday, 11 May: QUASH, MUNCH, ALTER, UNDUE
• Quordle #1202, Saturday, 10 May: RELIC, BADGE, CHAMP, SATIN
• Quordle #1201, Friday, 9 May: MINUS, CRIME, NOSEY, SLAIN

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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, May 28 (game #717).

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 #718) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• FROST
• RIGHT
• MUSCULAR
• HONOR
• HAIL
• FIT
• POLISH
• POWDER
• PROPER
• ENTHUSIAST
• NUDE
• APPLAUD
• SPRINKLE
• PRAISE
• APT
• GLAZE

NYT Connections today (game #718) - hint #1 - group hints

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

• YELLOW: Tribute
• GREEN: Satisfactory
• BLUE: Dunkin and Krispy
• PURPLE: Connecting word rhymes with “stuff”

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 #718) - hint #2 - group answers

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

• YELLOW: SALUTE 
• GREEN: SUITABLE
• BLUE: VERBS FOR FINISHING DONUTS
• PURPLE: WHAT "BUFF" MIGHT MEAN

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

NYT Connections today (game #718) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #718, are…

• YELLOW: SALUTE APPLAUD, HAIL, HONOR, PRAISE
• GREEN: SUITABLE APT, FIT, PROPER, RIGHT
• BLUE: VERBS FOR FINISHING DONUTS FROST, GLAZE, POWDER, SPRINKLE
• PURPLE: WHAT "BUFF" MIGHT MEAN ENTHUSIAST, MUSCULAR, NUDE, POLISH

• My rating: Easy
• My score: 1 mistake

Fools jump in... so I immediately thought that FROST, POWDER and SPRINKLE were describing types of snow, added HAIL… and got "one away".

That’s when I realized it had to do with baking instead, although I wasn’t thinking VERBS FOR FINISHING DONUTS.

I got SALUTE next, which was quite tricky for the so-called easiest group and then the SUITABLE green group.

I missed seeing WHAT “BUFF” MIGHT MEAN but four different meanings for one word make it the archetypal hardest Connections group – and I say this as a Connections buff.

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

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, May 28, game #717)

• YELLOW: CONNECT BRIDGE, JOIN, LINK, UNITE
• GREEN: PARTS OF A BIKE CHAIN, PEDAL, SADDLE, WHEEL
• BLUE: BEST PICTURE WINNERS SINCE 2000 CHICAGO, CRASH, GLADIATOR, MOONLIGHT
• PURPLE: MUSIC GENRES PLUS A LETTER BLUEST, POPE, ROCKY, SKAT

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 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 Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Wednesday, May 28 (game #451).

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 #452) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… It's a little buggy

NYT Strands today (game #452) - hint #2 - clue words

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

• GIANT
• SPARE
• SPAM
• SALE
• FAST
• ANTICS

NYT Strands today (game #452) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 6 letters

NYT Strands today (game #452) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 5th 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 #452) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #452, are…

• BUTTERFLY
• MOTH
• WASP
• FLEA
• HORNET
• DRAGONFLY
• SPANGAM: INSECT

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

After getting BUTTERFLY, MOTH and WASP in succession, I thought we were looking for a spangram describing flying minibeasts. Instead it was the much more straightforward INSECT

A six-letter spangram is very off-brand for Strands these days, but this game's ability to keep players guessing is impressive. That said, this was one of our easier days.

I know many people like them, but the sight of a DRAGONFLY freaks me out a bit as I’ve got an irrational fear that they’re going to fly in my mouth. So, whenever I see one I clamp my mouth shut. I guess I’m the freak, not them.

That said, they do breathe out of their rectums, so there is that too. I don't want something that breathes out its rectum in my mouth, thanks.

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

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, May 28, game #451)

• WINNER
• CHAMP
• TITLEHOLDER
• VICTOR
• MEDALIST
• SPANGRAM: FINISH STRONG

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.

• Vietnam has issued an order to block Telegram for failing to cooperate with authorities in halting crimes
• According to authorities, nearly 70% of Telegram channels and groups in Vietnam contain harmful content
• A new law requires social media providers to store Vietnamese users' data and share it with authorities upon request

Vietnam has blocked Telegram for failing to cooperate with authorities in halting crimes allegedly happening on the platform.

As reported by Reuters, the country's Head of the Telecom department issued the blocking order against telecommunications companies on May 21, 2025, with an obligation to report back to the ministry by June 2.

While the block didn't come into force immediately, Telegram appears to be inaccessible from the country at the time of writing. This means everyone living in or visiting Vietnam now needs one of the best VPN services to keep accessing the popular messaging app from the country.

Vietnam Telegram block

As per international and local sources, Vietnamese police said that nearly 70% of the almost 10,000 Telegram channels and groups accessible in the country contain "poisonous and bad information," Al Jazeera reported. Some groups have even been found to have links with illicit activities, like drug trafficking or terrorism.

This is why authorities decided to issue an order to all the country's telecoms providers "to deploy solutions and measures to prevent Telegram's activities in Vietnam."

Talking to Reuters, a Telegram spokesperson said to be "surprised by those statements," adding that the team responded to legal requests from Vietnam on time.

Yet, as per what a government official told Reuters, Telegram failed to share user data with authorities when asked as required by law.

Vietnam indeed enforced a controversial law in December last year that requires social media providers to store Vietnamese users' data and share it with authorities upon request. However, as per Surfshark's data, Vietnam had already restricted social media twice before that, with temporary blocks on Facebook and Instagram in 2016.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in August 2024 in France for, among other things, failing to properly moderate the app to combat crimes occurring on the platform. After that, Telegram appears to have strengthened its moderation policies.

Globally, Surfshark recorded a total of 34 countries that have banned Telegram since 2015, either temporarily or permanently, with Vietnam being the 35th to do so.

TechRadar needs you! We want to know what you think about the world of VPNs. Whether you're a novice or a VPN pro, we want to hear your thoughts. Don't worry, though, your responses are completely anonymous, and it takes less than a minute to complete!

To take part, click the link below: https://futurenet.questionpro.eu/tr-vpn

How a VPN can help

A virtual private network (VPN) is security software that encrypts your internet connections while spoofing your real IP address location. (Image credit: Getty Images)

Some local journalists and internet users lamented difficulties in accessing Telegram from Vietnam without a VPN starting from May 25, 2025.

Local users also confirmed TechRadar that Telegram is blocked in the country at the time of writing, but VPNs keep working fine to bypass restrictions.

This is because VPN services and similar circumventing tools come with IP-spoofing capabilities that allow users to look like they're browsing from a different country entirely within a couple of clicks.

All you need to do is download a reliable VPN for Vietnam, pick a server in a country where Telegram isn't blocked, and keep using the app as usual. You can find all the up-to-date information on how to unlock Telegram with a VPN on our dedicated page.

If you aren't willing to invest some money in a premium services, I reccommend checking out our free VPN page to pick the most secure freebie out there. Tor browser is also a great alernative to stay anonymous and bypass internet cenrsohip free of costs.

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The new Villainous expandalone has two new Star Wars villains and some unique gameplay features

• Many of CISA's senior leaders are leaving the agency, memo claims
• The organization is currently facing its third staff reduction of 2025
• There are worries about how the agency will perform going forward

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is reportedly experiencing a serious flight of senior personnel, with most planning to leave by the end of May 2025.

CISA is responsible for safeguarding US critical infrastructure, and its senior personnel are critical in the agency’s ability to liaise with its strategic partners, other federal agencies, and international security organizations.

The sudden exodus in senior leadership across five of CISA’s six operational divisions and six of its 10 regional offices comes as the agency faces its third workforce reduction this year.

CISA loses leadership

A statement issued by CISA’s executive director, Bridget Bean, said, “CISA is doubling down and fulfilling its statutory mission to secure the nation’s critical infrastructure and strengthen our collective cyber defense. We were created to be the cybersecurity agency for the nation, and we have the right team in place to fulfill that mission and ensure that we are prepared for a range of cyber threats from our adversaries.”

While the remaining CISA leadership may be putting on a brave face, a number of CISA employees who spoke to Cybersecurity Dive shared reservations about the agency’s future and performance following the departure of senior leadership.

One employee, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said, “With these significant number of senior departures, several of which are leaders who have been here since the days of US-CERT, there’s a lot of anxiety around when the cuts and departures will finally stop and we can move forward as an agency.”

A second employee, also speaking anonymously, said, “It feels like the wrong people are leaving. All of these departures make it feel like people are leaving the mission and creating a vacuum.”

For CISA’s operational divisions, acting head of the Infrastructure Security Division Steve Harris left on May 16, acting head of the Stakeholder Engagement Division Trent Frazier left on May 2, No. 2 official in the Emergency Communications Division Vince Delaurentis is due to leave on May 30. These follow the previous departures of No. 2 official in the Cybersecurity Division Matt Hartman, and head of the Integrated Operations Division Boyden Rohner.

Recent and upcoming regional office departures include Region 2 Director John Durkin, Region 4 Director Jay Gamble, Region 5 Director Alex Joves and Deputy Director Kathy Young, Region 6 Director Rob Russell, Region 7 Director Phil Kirk, and Region 10 Director Patrick Massey.

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Internet security giant Kaspersky has released a report saying that it identified over 7 million "compromised accounts" for the best streaming services that have leaked online in 2024 alone.

The details weren't leaked due to a breach in the security system of the streaming services themselves, but were instead grabbed by other malicious means, such as spyware browser extensions, which scrape the information you type into your computer and send it away to scammers, or fake websites that trick you into entering your account information (known as phishing).

Netflix accounts were by far the majority of the leaked information identified by Kaspersky, numbering over 5 million of the 7 million in total. However, there were also leaked accounts for Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and Apple TV+.

The highest number of leaked accounts appears to be for people based in Brazil, then Mexico, then India – but accounts leaked from everywhere, from the UK to Canada to Australia to Japan.

How big a problem is this?

If your account has been breached, the good news is that it shouldn't put your financial information in much danger, with a couple of notable exceptions.

Your billing info should be securely stored by all of these streaming services, and not visible to anyone simply browsing your profile if they log in maliciously.

With the likes of Netflix and Disney+ cracking down on password sharing between households, someone using your logins to watch from another country could cause these streaming services to give you a warning about adhering to their terms.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

However, the larger danger is whether the passwords involved give them access to other services. For example, if your Prime Video login is the same as your Amazon Prime login, then that one account may mean they can order things online from your account.

Similarly, if your Apple TV+ login is the same as your overall Apple ID login, then someone could potentially spend money from the payment details connected to your Apple ID.

However, Amazon and Apple both support two-factor authentication, meaning the password alone shouldn't be enough for someone to log into your account – if you don't have this active, you absolutely should change that now.

However, in all cases, if your password for these services is the same one you use for every other login, then the danger isn't someone logging into your Netflix – it's them using the same details to log in as you on online shopping platforms, or other sites where they could do some financial damage.

This is why we always recommend using one of the best password managers, so you have a unique password for every service without the hassle of needing to remember them all. iPhones and Android phones all have this capability built into them.

What should you do next?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you're concerned about your accounts for these services, you should log in to them and change your password right away.

In general, activating two-factor authentication on any services that support it is a no-brainer. Netflix, notably, doesn't offer this option, but it has its own page on how to keep your Netflix account secure.

If you aren't already using one of the best password managers, now is the perfect time to start. Many of these services will tell you if one of your passwords appears in leaked account information, so you can take action to change it right away.

But also bear in mind how these details leaked: not through hacks of the services, but because people downloaded dodgy browser extensions and software, or were caught in phishing schemes that asked them to enter their details into fake websites.

Being cautious online is just as important as using technical options like a password manager or two-factor authentication.

Kaspersky's report highlights three things to remember:

• "Always use a legitimate, paid subscription when accessing streaming services and ensure you’re using apps from official marketplaces or the official websites."
• "Always verify the authenticity of websites before entering any personal information. Stick to trusted, official pages when watching or downloading content and double-check URLs and company name spellings to avoid phishing sites."
• "Be cautious about the file extensions you're downloading. Video files should not have .exe or .msi extensions — these are typically associated with harmful programs."

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• Nvidia could be releasing a gaming laptop APU soon, according to rumors
• It's slated to release at either Q4 2025 or Q1 2026
• It could be a chance for Nvidia to use its hardware for a handheld gaming PC

AMD and Intel are continuously competing with each other within the SoC market for laptops and handheld gaming PCs – and one of their fierce rivals looks poised to join the party.

According to a reputable leaker, Moore's Law Is Dead, Nvidia has a new gaming laptop processor slated for release between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. This would be akin to AMD's Ryzen Strix Halo APUs, with an iGPU as the driving force for gaming performance. It's also expected to have a TDP (power consumption) between 80 and 120W.

It's best to take leaks and rumors as such with a grain of salt; Nvidia's recent heavy focus on AI suggests that gaming would be an afterthought, so a gaming laptop SoC would be a surprise, to say the least. However, if this is legitimate, it may be a starting point for Nvidia SoCs coming to handheld gaming PCs.

As it stands, the Nintendo Switch 2 is the only handheld gaming device in this generation that will have access to Team Green's DLSS upscaling method, using the Tegra T239 processor – and it's worth noting that DLSS is a significant advantage the Switch 2 holds over current handheld gaming PCs.

We've seen both Intel and AMD's laptop processors used in handhelds, notably the former's Core Ultra 7 258V in the MSI Claw 8 AI+. Essentially, the same could apply to Nvidia's rumored SoC and could be a strong challenge to its competitors by providing great gaming performance.

Analysis: A high-tier Nvidia SoC would take the handheld gaming market by storm

(Image credit: Siberian Art / Shutterstock)

While Nvidia's Tegra T239 processor will be used in the Switch 2, with DLSS also available, I yearn for an Nvidia mobile processor of a higher tier, and this sounds like it could be it.

Gamers using the likes of an Asus ROG Ally X or MSI Claw 8 AI+, only have access to FSR 3 and XeSS, respectively. I'm not saying those upscaling methods are any slouch, but they would have a hard time competing against DLSS (at least DLSS 3), as they do on the desktop GPU end.

It may not be the same with handhelds, but DLSS on desktop gaming PCs has been the game-changing tool for a while, providing smooth performance through upscaling a lower internal resolution. I admit, I'm not a fan of game devs relying on the technology for steady performance in games (because they're so poorly optimized), but it's hard to deny the benefits of DLSS.

If this were available for handhelds, I could easily see it outshining both Team Red and Team Blue's efforts, especially on a smaller display. Let's just hope this purported SoC isn't only coming to gaming laptops...

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• Anker Soundcore P41i has USB-C cable and 3,000mAh battery
• 10-12 hours of playtime, rising to 192 hours with the case
• £79.99 (about $100 / AU$160), available now

If you're fed up lugging one of the best power banks around to stop your phone running out of juice, Anker's Soundcore brand may have just the thing. The charging case for its new P41i earbuds doesn't just charge the earbuds, it can charge your other devices too.

The earbuds themselves are mid-range models, but the case is something more unusual. Don't expect to recharge a MacBook Pro with it, but it's got a 3,000mAh battery that's good for delivering a 50% top-up to an iPhone 16 Pro and 45% to a Samsung Galaxy S24 via its integral USB-C cable. And the case even doubles as a smartphone stand.

(Image credit: Soundcore)Soundcore P41i: key features and pricing

At 10W, you're not going to get the fastest charge, but Anker says you can expect to charge up to 30% in about 40 minutes for the iPhone 16 Pro, Galaxy S24 and Pixel 8, and 30 minutes for an iPhone 14 Pro.

I think the power bank capability is useful: I'm just back from a very long day of travel where once again my iPhone 16 Pro's all-day battery didn't live up to that promise.

50% extra would have been more than enough to make it past midnight without looking for a charge point or having to carry my heavy power bank around.

The earbuds' own batteries are pretty big too: Soundcore says you'll get 12 hours with ANC off and 10 with ANC on, which is above average for the best earbuds of today. And with that charging case, the figure increases to a whopping 192 hours of total listening time.

The buds have 11mm drivers, six mics, and five levels of ANC with three different noise-cancelling modes. There's Bluetooth 5.3 with multi-point and fast pairing, and they're IPX5 certified. UK pricing is £79.99, which converts to around $100 / AU$160.

The Anker Soundcore P41i earbuds are available now in the UK at Amazon, and will launch elsewhere soon.

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• Scotland's rail service has replaced the human train announcement voice with an AI one on some routes
• The voice technology is powered by Swedish company ReadSpeaker
• A voice actor claims the company is using her voice without permission, but ReadSpeaker says it has "comprehensively addressed" these complaints

If you live in Scotland, or have ever visited our beautiful country and travelled on a train, you'll have probably heard the homely lilt of the female voice announcing station stops and other information.

However, train company Scotrail has now replaced the iconic voice with AI, sparking uproar among commuters – and claims from a voice actor that Scotrail has stolen her voice.

The new AI announcer is called Iona, and the robotic voice has replaced the human one that the majority of Scots have grown up with. Iona is currently rolling out on routes across Scotland, but so far has been met with hostility.

HATE the new ScotRail AI announcer voice. It sounds like a Scottish version of HAL from Space Odyssey!May 17, 2025

The AI voices uses text-to-speech technology that allows train conductors to input announcements that are then spoken across the public address system by Iona.

That's my voice!

Following the initial backlash against the AI voice rollout, Scotrail responded on X, saying, "Give it time and it may grow on you."

One person the voice isn't growing on is voice actor Gayanne Potter, who's accused the Scottish Government-owned train company of stealing her voice. Potter is a voice actor who did some work for the Swedish company ReadSpeaker in 2021.

ReadSpeaker is the company behind Iona, and at the time, Ms Potter was told her voice work would only be used for accessibility and e-learning software.

After a friend sent her a link to ReadSpeaker's website, Potter recognized the voice, noticing similarities between her own tone and that of Iona, a persona that Scotrail is marketing as a red-haired Scottish woman, with an image that's also – of course – AI-generated.

Ms Potter told the BBC, "It is my voice – I'm absolutely certain it's my voice.” Potter has been in a dispute with ReadSpeaker over the use her voice for two years.

In response to the complaints, ReadSpeaker told the BBC, "ReadSpeaker is aware of Ms Potter's concerns, and has comprehensively addressed these with Ms Potter's legal representative several times in the past."

In the BBC report you can listen to a comparison between Ms Potter and Iona. There's no denying the voices are very similar, although the real issue here is the protection of workers in the creative industry, and awareness of how they sign over their rights when producing work.

Potter said, "It's hard enough for people in the creative industry to sustain careers, but to be competing with a robotic version of yourself just adds insult to injury."

This is just the latest controversy in the debate over who owns what in the rapidly evolving world of AI. Potter says she didn't know at the time that her voice would be used to train a robotic one heard across Scotland. Now, she can't escape her 'own' AI voice.

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• Study reveals continuing resistance to RTO mandates
• Many workers say they would look for a new job, or just quit, if forced to go back full-time
• Women more resistant than men, but BME workers also affected

A new study has revealed attitudes towards a full-time return to office (RTO) are still incredibly resistant, as workers look for more flexibility and productivity in their roles.

Over a one million observations from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and some 50,000 responses from the Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes (SWAA) UK from between early 2022 and 2024 were analyzed by researchers from King’s College London (KCL) and King’s Business School to see if worker opinions on RTO mandates had changed.

Unsurprisingly, the report found many workers were still opposed to the policies, with less than half (42%) saying they would agree to go back to the office full-time - and the overall figures showing there is "no clear trend of a mass return to the office in the UK".

RTO resistance

"Despite the growing public announcement of CEOs and reports of mass return-to-office mandate of companies, based on two large scale representative surveys of the UK labour market we see no evidence of this," authors Professor Heejung Chung and Research Fellow Shiya Yuan stated in their report.

"We do not see any clear signs of workers returning to the office, nor do we see evidence of employers restricting workers’ homeworking possibilities in their policies. In fact, we see a growing number of workers who can work from home."

Overall, the figures showed working-from-home (WFH) rates remained stable since 2022, with over a quarter of all workers saying home is their main place of work, and about 40% of workers work remotely at least once per week, with over 25% work three or more days from home.

The report appears to indicate that RTO mandates are a potential deal-breaker for many workers, as half of those surveyed said they would rather look for a new job than return to full time at their current employer - an increase from 40% in the earlier survey.

Women were more likely to look for a new job (55%) or quit entirely (9%) than men (43% and 8%), with young mothers much more unlikely to comply.

However black and minority ethnic workers were found to be slightly more compliant with returning to the office, which the study hypothesised could be due to possible "job insecurity and workplace discrimination".

"For HR leaders and policymakers, the message is clear: well-designed hybrid working models offer significant benefits for both employers and employees that supports equality, talent retention, collaboration, and business resilience," the authors concluded.

"Rigid RTO mandates not only risk reversing these gains but may also create serious recruitment and retention challenges in a labour market where flexibility has become a baseline expectation."

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