Reading view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.

Asia Market Open: Crypto and Asian Equities Make Quiet Gains as Fed-Focused Week Kicks Off

Crypto assets traded higher on Monday while Asia’s stock markets inched up, as traders stepped into a week dominated by the US Federal Reserve and a packed central bank calendar.

The mood stayed cautious, but risk assets, from crypto to equities, held their ground as investors lined up behind the prospect of fresh policy easing.

Bitcoin rose about 1.9%, keeping prices close to the $90,000 mark and extending a steady grind higher that has drawn support from rate-cut bets.

For crypto traders, the Fed meeting now looks less like a routine calendar event and more like a possible trigger for the next leg of the cycle.

Akshat Siddhant, lead quant analyst at Mudrex, said that if the Fed proceeds with a rate cut this week, a “Santa rally” becomes increasingly likely, pushing BTC toward the $100,000 mark.

He pointed to around $87,500 as an important support area, a level that still leaves the broader structure for Bitcoin looking constructive even if there is short-term volatility.

Market snapshot

  • Bitcoin: $91,256, up 1.9%
  • Ether: $3,114, up 2.1%
  • XRP: $2.07, up 0.9%
  • Total crypto market cap: $3.18 trillion, up 1.3%

BIG WEEK INCOMING FOR CRYPTO 🚨

MONDAY:
– FOMC MEETING
– POSSIBLE QE START

TUESDAY:
– INFLATION DATA RELEASE

WEDNESDAY:
– FOMC MEETING AND RATE CUTS

FRIDAY:
– DEF BALANCE SHEET
– POWELL RESIGNS

MEGA BULLISH WEEK FOR CRYPTO IS COMING! pic.twitter.com/F4XuZiWPcp

— ᴛʀᴀᴄᴇʀ (@DeFiTracer) December 7, 2025

Crypto Finds Support While Asian Stocks Log Cautious Early Gains

Across Asia’s equity markets, stocks nudged higher as trading got under way. Japan’s Nikkei slipped about 0.3% after a modest 0.5% gain last week, while South Korea’s Kospi eased 0.3% after jumping 4.4% last week on confirmation of lower US tariffs on its exports.

MSCI’s broad index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dipped roughly 0.1% in relatively quiet dealings.

Mainland Chinese shares were set to take their cues from November trade figures, with investors watching how exports hold up against tariff headwinds. The data will feed into positioning on Chinese assets into year-end and help shape how much regional support Asian equities can offer to global risk sentiment.

Fed Tension Builds With Futures Flat And Analysts Watching Earnings Signals

US futures provided little directional push at the start of the week. S&P 500 and Nasdaq contracts traded close to flat as investors balanced the coming Fed decision with a fresh round of corporate results.

Earnings from Oracle and Broadcom will give another read on demand for AI-linked infrastructure and chips, while Costco’s numbers will offer a window into consumer spending.

Pricing in interest-rate markets shows how firmly investors lean toward an easing. Futures imply roughly an 85% chance of a quarter-point cut in the current 3.75% to 4% federal funds target range, so a hold would amount to a shock.

Yet the decision may not be straightforward inside the Federal Open Market Committee. Some policymakers have spoken openly against cutting too early, and the Fed has not seen three or more dissents at a single meeting since 2019, something that has occurred only nine times since 1990.

Crypto Watches Dollar Path As Markets Weigh Fed Timing And Political Noise

Market prices are more cautious, attaching about a 24% probability to a January move and not fully factoring in another easing until July. For Bitcoin and other digital assets, that path matters because it shapes the dollar, liquidity and the appeal of hard-cap assets.

US politics also hangs over the debate. Some investors worry that President Donald Trump’s repeated attacks on Fed independence could help push rates too low over time, setting the stage for a later inflation problem.

That kind of backdrop often feeds into the narrative that Bitcoin can act as a hedge against long-term currency debasement, even if day-to-day trading still reacts to standard macro data and funding conditions.

The Fed is not the only game in town. Central banks in Canada, Switzerland and Australia also meet this week and are widely expected to hold policy steady. The Swiss National Bank may see reasons to offset a strong franc, but with its policy rate already at 0%, officials remain wary of returning to negative territory.

The post Asia Market Open: Crypto and Asian Equities Make Quiet Gains as Fed-Focused Week Kicks Off appeared first on Cryptonews.

“PMO에서 BTO로” AI가 여는 프로젝트 관리의 대전환

CIO 입장에서 AI를 둘러싼 논의는 혁신에서 오케스트레이션 단계로 발전했다. 오랫동안 인간의 조율과 통제 영역이었던 프로젝트 관리는 지능형 시스템이 프로젝트 진행 및 성과를 어떻게 재편하고 변혁을 가속하는지 시험하는 무대로 빠르게 부상하고 있다.

산업군을 막론하고 모든 기업 CIO는 AI의 약속을 운영 측면에서 수치화해야 한다는 과제를 안고 있다. 프로젝트 기간 단축, 간접비 감소, 포트폴리오 투명성 제고 같은 지표로 어떻게 설명할 것인가 하는 문제다. 조지아 공과대학교가 2025년에 프로젝트 관리 전문가와 C 레벨 기술 리더 217명을 대상으로 진행한 연구에 따르면, 조사 대상 기업의 73%가 어떤 형태로든 프로젝트 관리 영역에 AI를 도입했다고 응답했다.

하지만 이런 열기 속에서도 AI가 프로젝트 매니저(PM)의 역할을 어떻게 재정의할 것인지, 향후 비즈니스 혁신 프로그램의 프레임워크를 어떻게 규정할 것인지에 대한 질문은 여전히 남아 있다.

역할은 바뀌지만 PM의 중요성은 그대로

이미 여러 산업에서 프로젝트 전문가는 변화를 체감하고 있다. 이번 조사에서 AI를 일찍 도입한 기업은 프로젝트 효율성이 최대 30%까지 향상됐다고 보고했지만, 성공 여부는 기술 자체보다 리더십이 AI 활용을 어떻게 통제하느냐에 더 크게 좌우됐다. 응답자의 압도적 다수는 AI가 효율성, 예측 기반 계획, 의사결정 개선에 매우 효과적이었다고 평가했다. 그렇다면 프로젝트를 실제로 운영하는 실무자에게 이 변화는 무엇을 의미할까?

응답자의 약 1/3은 AI 덕분에 PM이 일상적인 일정·업무 조정에서 벗어나 장기적인 성과를 이끄는 전략적 총괄 역할에 더 집중할 수 있을 것이라고 예상했다. 또 다른 1/3은 PM이 팀 전반에서 AI 인사이트를 해석해 통합하는 촉진자 역할을 수행하며 협업을 강화하는 방향으로 진화할 것이라고 내다봤다. 나머지 응답자는 PM이 알고리즘의 윤리성, 정확도, 비즈니스 목표 정렬 여부를 관리·감독하는 AI 시스템 감독자로 변모할 것이라고 전망했다.

이런 시각은 하나의 결론으로 모인다. AI가 PM을 대체하지는 않지만, PM의 가치를 재정의할 것이라는 점이다. 앞으로 등장할 PM은 업무 목록만 관리하는 사람이 아니라 지능을 관리하고, AI 기반 인사이트를 비즈니스 성과로 번역하는 역할을 수행하게 된다.

PMO가 서둘러야 하는 이유

PMO(Project Management Office)에게 과제는 더 이상 AI를 도입할지 여부가 아니라 어떻게 도입할지이다. 대기업이라면 대부분 일정 예측, 자동 리스크 보고, 문서 작성을 위한 생성형 AI 등 다양한 영역에서 이미 실험을 진행하고 있어 AI 채택 속도는 빨라지고 있다. 하지만 실제 통합 수준은 기업마다 들쭉날쭉하다.

여전히 많은 PMO가 AI를 전략 역량이 아닌 도구 모음 수준의 부가 기능 정도로 취급한다. 하지만 AI의 핵심은 판단 증강과 자동화에 있다. 진정한 경쟁우위를 확보하는 기업은 AI를 프로젝트 방법론, 거버넌스 프레임워크, 성과 지표에 깊이 내재화하고, 다음 다섯 가지 접근법을 염두에 두고 움직인다.

1. 파일럿 프로젝트부터 시작하라

작게 시작해 빠르게 확장하라. 가장 성공적인 AI 통합은 프로젝트 상태 보고 자동화, 일정 지연 예측, 자원 병목 식별 같은 명확한 사용례를 겨냥한 소규모 시범 적용에서 출발한다. 이런 파일럿 프로젝트는 눈에 보이는 성과를 만들고 조직 내 기대감을 높이며, 통합 과정에서 발생하는 기술과 프로세스 문제를 초기 단계에 드러내 준다.

2. 활동량이 아니라 가치를 측정하라

AI를 도입하면서도 명확한 성과 지표 없이 추진하는 실수가 자주 발생한다. PMO는 수동 보고 시간 감소, 리스크 예측 정확도 향상, 프로젝트 사이클 단축, 이해관계자 만족도 제고 같은 구체적인 KPI를 설정해야 한다. 이런 결과를 조직 전체에 공유하는 일도 성과 못지않게 중요하다. 성공 사례를 적극적으로 알리면 모멘텀을 키우고 동의를 이끌어 내고, AI에 회의적인 팀의 인식을 바꾸는 데 도움이 된다.

3. PM 역량을 업그레이드하라

AI의 가치는 결국 그것을 활용하는 사람의 역량에 달려 있다. 설문에 응답한 전문가의 거의 절반은 숙련 인력 부족을 AI 통합의 주요 장벽으로 꼽았다. 프로젝트 매니저가 데이터 과학자가 될 필요는 없지만, AI의 기본 개념, 알고리즘이 작동하는 방식, 편향이 발생하는 지점, 데이터 품질의 의미 정도는 이해해야 한다. 앞으로 가장 영향력이 큰 PM은 데이터 리터러시와 함께 비판적 사고, 감정 지능, 커뮤니케이션 같은 인간 중심 리더십을 겸비한 인재가 될 것이다.

4. 거버넌스와 윤리를 강화하라

AI 활용이 늘어날수록 알고리즘이 프로젝트 의사결정에 영향을 미칠 때 윤리적 문제가 대두된다. PMO는 투명성, 공정성, 인간의 최종 감독을 강조하는 AI 거버넌스 프레임워크를 수립하는 데 앞장서야 한다. 이런 원칙을 PMO의 헌장과 프로세스에 녹여두면 리스크를 줄이는 데 그치지 않고 프로젝트 이해관계자 사이에 신뢰를 쌓는 기반을 마련할 수 있다.

5. PMO에서 BTO로 진화하라

전통적인 PMO는 범위, 일정, 비용 관점에서 프로젝트 실행에 초점을 맞춘다. 하지만 AI를 적극 활용하는 기업은 프로젝트를 비즈니스 가치 창출과 직접 연결하는 BTO(Business Transformation Office)로 진화하는 추세다. PMO가 프로젝트를 ‘제대로’ 수행하는 데 초점을 둔다면, BTO는 ‘올바른’ 프로젝트를 선택해 성과를 내는 데 초점을 둔다. 이 프레임워크의 핵심 요소는 워터폴 방식에서 애자일 마인드셋으로의 전환이다. 프로젝트 관리는 경직된 계획 중심에서 반복적이고 고객 중심이며 협업적인 방식으로 이동했고, 하이브리드 방법론이 점점 일반적인 선택이 되고 있다. 이런 애자일 접근법은 AI와 디지털 혁신이 촉발하는 급격한 변화를 따라가기 위해 필수적인 조건이다.

프로젝트 관리자를 위한 새로운 경력 개발

2030년 무렵이 되면 상태 업데이트, 일정 수립, 리스크 경고처럼 반복적인 프로젝트 업무 상당 부분을 AI가 처리하고, 인간 책임자는 비전, 협업, 윤리에 집중하는 그림이 현실이 될 수 있다. 이런 변화는 애자일 확산과 디지털 트랜스포메이션처럼 과거 프로젝트 관리 혁신 흐름을 닮았지만, 전개 속도는 훨씬 빠르다.

하지만 기업이 점점 더 많은 AI를 도입하면 할수록 인간적 요소를 잃을 위험도 커진다. 프로젝트 관리는 언제나 사람에 관한 일이고, 이해관계를 맞추고 갈등을 해결하며 팀에 동기를 부여하는 과정이다. AI는 일정 지연을 예측할 수는 있지만, 지연을 만회하도록 팀을 격려할 수는 없다. 뉘앙스를 해석하고 신뢰를 구축하며, 협업을 촉진하는 PM의 인간적 능력은 여전히 대체 불가능하다.

이제 행동에 착수해야 할 시간

AI는 기업 프로젝트 진행 및 성과의 첨병이 될 것이다. 앞으로 10년은 PMO와 경영진, 정책 입안자가 이런 진화를 얼마나 잘 관리하는지 시험하는 시간이 될 것이다. 성공하기 위해 기업은 플랫폼만큼 사람에 투자하고, 윤리적이고 투명한 거버넌스를 채택하며, 지속적인 학습과 실험 문화를 조성하고, 과대광고가 아닌 실제 성과로 성공 여부를 판단해야 한다.

CIO에게는 이미 분명한 과제가 주어졌다. 비전으로 이끌고 높은 윤리 기준으로 거버넌스를 수행하며, 지능형 도구로 팀에 힘을 실어줘야 한다. AI는 프로젝트 관리 직무를 위협하는 존재가 아니라 그 역할을 재탄생시키는 촉매제다. 책임 있게 실행할 경우 AI 기반 프로젝트 관리는 운영 효율을 높이는 데 그치지 않고, 변화에 민첩하게 대응하면서도 사람 중심 가치를 유지하는 기업을 만드는 기반이 된다. 이런 변화를 신중하게 수용하면 PM은 단순한 관리자를 넘어 변화의 설계자로 도약할 수 있다.
dl-ciokorea@foundryco.com

Wavebird Controller Soars Once More with Open Source Adapter

Computer rendering of a DIY, purple Nintendo Wavebird controller adapter

After scouring the second-hand shops and the endless pages of eBay for original video game hardware, a pattern emerges. The size of the accessory matters. If a relatively big controller originally came with a tiny wireless dongle, after twenty years, only the controller will survive. It’s almost as if these game controllers used to be owned by a bunch of irresponsible children who lose things (wink). Such is the case today when searching for a Nintendo Wavebird controller, and [James] published a wireless receiver design to make sure that the original hardware can be resurrected.

The project bears the name Wave Phoenix. The goal was to bring new life to a legendary controller by utilizing inexpensive, readily available parts. Central to the design is the RF-BM-BG22C3 Bluetooth module. Its low power draw and diminutive footprint made it a great fit for the limited controller port space of a Nintendo GameCube. The module itself is smaller than the GameCube’s proprietary controller connector.  Luckily for projects like this, there are plenty of third-party connector options available.

When it comes to assembly, [James] insists it is possible to wire everything up by hand. He included an optional custom PCB design for those of us who aren’t point-to-point soldering masters. The PCB nestles cleanly into the 3D-printed outer casing seen in the image above in the iconic GameCube purple. Once the custom firmware for the Bluetooth module is flashed, pairing is as simple as pressing the Wave Phoenix adapter pairing button, followed by pressing X and Y simultaneously on the Wavebird controller. The two devices should stay paired as long as the controller’s wireless channel dial remains on the same channel. Better yet, any future firmware updates can be transferred wirelessly over Bluetooth.

Those who have chosen to build their own Wave Phoenix adapter have been pleased with the performance. The video below from Retrostalgia on YouTube shows that input responsiveness seems to be on par with the original Nintendo adapter. Mix in a variety of 3D printed shell color options, and this project goes a long way to upcycle Wavebird controllers that may have been doomed to end up in a dumpster. So it might be time to fire up a round of Kirby Air Ride and mash the A button unencumbered by a ten-foot cord.

There are even more open source video game controller designs out there like this previous post about the Alpakka controller by Dave.

Ethereum Price Targets Upside Break as Buyers Tighten Grip on Trend

Ethereum price started a fresh increase above $3,000. ETH is now consolidating gains and might aim for more gains above $3,150.

  • Ethereum started a fresh increase above the $3,000 and $3,020 levels.
  • The price is trading above $3,050 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average.
  • There is a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $3,140 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD (data feed via Kraken).
  • The pair could continue to move up if it settles above the $3,150 zone.

Ethereum Price Eyes Additional Gains

Ethereum price managed to stay above $2,920 and started a fresh increase, like Bitcoin. ETH price gained strength for a move above the $3,000 and $3,020 resistance levels.

Recently, the price saw a downside correction from the $3,240 zone. There was a drop below the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward wave from the $2,718 swing low to the $3,240 low. However, the bulls remained active near the $2,920 zone.

Ethereum price is now trading above $3,050 and the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. If there is another upward move, the price could face resistance near the $3,140 level. There is also a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $3,140 on the hourly chart of ETH/USD.

Ethereum Price

The next key resistance is near the $3,200 level. The first major resistance is near the $3,250 level. A clear move above the $3,250 resistance might send the price toward the $3,320 resistance. An upside break above the $3,320 region might call for more gains in the coming days. In the stated case, Ether could rise toward the $3,450 resistance zone or even $3,500 in the near term.

Another Downside Correction In ETH?

If Ethereum fails to clear the $3,140 resistance, it could start a fresh decline. Initial support on the downside is near the $3,050 level. The first major support sits near the $3,000 zone.

A clear move below the $3,000 support might push the price toward the $2,950 support. Any more losses might send the price toward the $2,920 region and the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the upward wave from the $2,718 swing low to the $3,240 low. The next key support sits at $2,840 and $2,820.

Technical Indicators

Hourly MACDThe MACD for ETH/USD is gaining momentum in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSIThe RSI for ETH/USD is now above the 50 zone.

Major Support Level – $3,050

Major Resistance Level – $3,140

Bitcoin Aims Higher as Bulls Regain Strength and Push for Resistance Break

Bitcoin price started a fresh increase above $90,500. BTC is now consolidating gains and might attempt an upside break above $91,650.

  • Bitcoin started a fresh increase above the $90,500 zone.
  • The price is trading above $91,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.
  • There was a break above a key bearish trend line with resistance at $90,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
  • The pair might continue to move up if it settles above the $91,650 zone.

Bitcoin Price Faces Resistance

Bitcoin price managed to stay above the $90,500 zone and started a fresh increase. BTC gained strength for a move above the $91,500 and $92,500 levels.

There was a clear move above the $93,000 resistance. A high was formed at $94,050 and the price recently corrected some gains. There was a drop below the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $83,871 swing low to the $94,050 high.

However, the bulls were active near the $87,800 support and the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $83,871 swing low to the $94,050 high. The price is again rising above $90,000.

There was a break above a key bearish trend line with resistance at $90,000 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. Bitcoin is now trading above $91,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.

Bitcoin Price

If the bulls remain in action, the price could attempt another increase. Immediate resistance is near the $91,650 level. The first key resistance is near the $92,000 level. The next resistance could be $93,000. A close above the $93,000 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $95,000 resistance. Any more gains might send the price toward the $95,500 level. The next barrier for the bulls could be $96,200 and $96,450.

Another Decline In BTC?

If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $91,650 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support is near the $90,000 level. The first major support is near the $89,500 level.

The next support is now near the $87,800 zone. Any more losses might send the price toward the $87,250 support in the near term. The main support sits at $86,500, below which BTC might accelerate lower in the near term.

Technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now above the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $90,000, followed by $89,500.

Major Resistance Levels – $91,650 and $92,000.

NYT Pips hints, answers for December 8, 2025

A phone with the Pips logo.

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

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

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

How to play Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 8 Pips

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Equal (4): Everything in this space must be equal to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-6, placed horizontally.

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 8 Pips

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally.

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 6-2, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically.

Greater Than (4): Everything in this orange space must be greater than 4. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 6-1, placed horizontally.

Equal (1): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 8 Pips

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 4-1, placed vertically.

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

Equal (0): Everything in this light blue space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed horizontally.

Number (21): Everything in this space must add up to 21. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 5-5, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (2): Everything in this space must be greater than 2. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically.

Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 21. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 0-6, placed horizontally.


Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed vertically.

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

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

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

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 8, 2025

A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easy if you live in the Mile High City.

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

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

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

What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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

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

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

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

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Mile High sports

  • Green: Levels of football

  • Blue: Billionaires

  • Purple: MACtion

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: Denver Teams

  • Green: Words That Come Before "Football"

  • Blue: NFL Owners

  • Purple: MAC Team Nicknames

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #441 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

  • Denver Teams - AVALANCHE, BRONCOS, NUGGETS, ROCKIES

  • Words That Come Before "Football" - AMERICAN, COLLEGE, FANTASY, FLAG

  • NFL Owners - BLANK, HUNT, KRAFT, YORK

  • MAC Team Nicknames - GOLDEN FLASHES, MINUTEMEN, ROCKETS, ZIPS

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

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

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

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

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 8, 2025

Connections game on a smartphone

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a California native.

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

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

What is Connections?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: To pressure someone

  • Green: California staples

  • Blue: Texan athletes

  • Purple: Major cities

Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Goad, with "On"

  • Green: Famous streets in Los Angeles

  • Blue: Member of a Dallas pro sports team

  • Purple: European capitals minus second-to-last letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #911 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

  • Goad, with "On": EGG, PUSH, SPUR, URGE

  • Famous streets in Los Angeles: MULHOLLAND, RODEO, SUNSET, VINE

  • Member of a Dallas pro sports team: COWBOY, MAVERICK, STAR, WING

  • European capitals minus second-to-last letter: MINK, PARS, ROE, SOFA

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

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

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

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

NYT Strands hints, answers for December 8, 2025

A game being played on a smartphone.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're good with words.

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

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

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

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Grammatically speaking

The words are related to language.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe speaking terms.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Parts of Speech.

NYT Strands word list for December 8

  • Noun

  • Article

  • Verb

  • Parts of Speech

  • Adjective

  • Conjunction

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

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

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

Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 8, 2025

Wordle game on a smartphone

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love a Thanksgiving meal.

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

Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

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

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A savory sauce.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter G.

The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

GRAVY

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

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

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

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

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

IT: Welcome to Derry episode 7 reveals Pennywises origin story

A clown is seen in a black-and-white photo.

IT: Welcome to Derry episode 6 may have made us briefly wonder if Mrs Kersh (Madeleine Stowe) is Pennywise's daughter, but episode 7 has now given us the answer.

Opening with yet another flashback to 1908, the penultimate episode in Andy Muschietti's prequel series takes us back to the origin of not the monster itself, but the creature's infamous clown persona.

So what do we learn? We've unpacked it all below.

What happens with Pennywise in episode 7?

In 1908, Ingrid Kersh (Madeleine Stowe) is working at the fun fair with her father Bob Gray (Bill Skarsgård), who performs as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. When he's in his costume he looks like a budget version of the evil Pennywise we've come to know all too well, and it's clear that the man himself isn't an evil, child-snatching entity.

A man looks through the circular window of a door, in black and white.
Credit: HBO

So what's going on here?

The first clue comes when we see a creepy child watching Pennywise from a window with an unsmiling expression on his face. Later, that same child approaches a makeup-free Bob and tells him that "the children seem drawn to you." The kid then says he can't find his parents, before leading Bob into the woods towards the sound of screams.

The next thing we know Ingrid's father has disappeared, and all that remains of him is a blood-spattered handkerchief that's been found in the forest.

What does it tell us about Pennywise's origin?

Firstly, the episode rules out any possibility of Mrs Kersh being the monster's actual daughter (as she herself realises towards the episode's end). What it does tell us is that Pennywise was once a real, human clown, chosen by the creature due to his popularity with children. Essentially the clown is just another one of IT's many disguises — the form it reverts to when it wants to lure in children.

New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

IT: Welcome to Derry episode 7 ending, explained: Whats the army planning?

A man in military uniform stands in a room.

IT: Welcome to Derry only has one episode left, and things seem to be going from bad to worse.

Because as well as a Pennywise origin story and a re-creation of one of the book's most disturbing historical chapters, episode 7 also ends with a twist that spells trouble for not just the main characters, but potentially the entire United States.

So what exactly happened, and what could it mean?

What happens at the end of IT: Welcome to Derry, episode 7?

After a horrific arson attack brings an apparent end to the creature's current killing cycle, the military — following the lead of Dick Hallorann (Chris Chalk) — tracks down one of the ancient pillars that essentially acts as a cage to keep the monster in Derry. Major Hanlon (Jovan Adepo) thinks they'll be using this pillar to trap and kill the creature, but soon discovers the military actually intends to destroy it.

During a tense discussion with General Shaw (James Remar), the army's real plans become clear: They don't want to kill the creature, they want to free it.

Why is the army trying to free IT?

Given Pennywise has spent the past six episodes laying waste to 17 children, the army's plan to unleash IT into the U.S. seems misguided at best. But General Shaw seems convinced that IT is exactly what America needs. "This country is slowly fracturing into a thousand, jagged, ill-fitting pieces," he barks. "I am only trying to prevent another civil war."

The general believes that the only chance of controlling the population is through the kind of fear that a creature like Pennywise has the power to instil en masse.

"Look at this town. What happened last night, horrific," Shaw says. "But guess what? The streets are calm today. No rioting, no looting, no unrest. The fear — it settles on every living person it touches like a fog. Like a goddamned anaesthetic."

Despite the best efforts of Major Hanlon, the army succeeds in destroying the pillar. As we see from the final shots of the episode, this causes the creature to reawaken from its slumber.

Somehow we think the army may not have properly thought this little scheme through.

New episodes of IT: Welcome to Derry premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Can This Simple Invention Convert Waste Heat Into Electricity?

Nuclear engineer Lonnie Johnson worked on NASA's Galileo mission, has more than 140 patents, and invented the Super Soaker water gun. But now he's working on "a potential key to unlock a huge power source that's rarely utilized today," reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [Alternate URL here.] Waste heat... The Johnson Thermo-Electrochemical Converter, or JTEC, has few moving parts, no combustion and no exhaust. All the work to generate electricity is done by hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe. Inside the device, pressurized hydrogen gas is separated by a thin, filmlike membrane, with low pressure gas on one side and high pressure gas on the other. The difference in pressure in this "stack" is what drives the hydrogen to compress and expand, creating electricity as it circulates. And unlike a fuel cell, it does not need to be refueled with more hydrogen. All that's needed to keep the process going and electricity flowing is a heat source. As it turns out, there are enormous amounts of energy vented or otherwise lost from industrial facilities like power plants, factories, breweries and more. Between 20% and 50% of all energy used for industrial processes is dumped into the atmosphere and lost as waste heat, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The JTEC works with high temperatures, but the device's ability to generate electricity efficiently from low-grade heat sources is what company executives are most excited about. Inside JTEC's headquarters, engineers show off a demonstration unit that can power lights and a sound system with water that's roughly 200 degrees Fahrenheit — below the boiling point and barely warm enough to brew a cup of tea, said Julian Bell, JTEC's vice president of engineering. Comas Haynes, a research engineer at the Georgia Tech Research Institute specializing in thermal and hydrogen system designs, agrees the company could "hit a sweet spot" if it can capitalize on lower temperature heat... For Johnson, the potential application he's most excited about lies beneath our feet. Geothermal energy exists naturally in rocks and water beneath the Earth's surface at various depths. Tapping into that resource through abandoned oil and gas wells — a well-known access point for underground heat — offers another opportunity. "You don't need batteries and you can draw power when you need it from just about anywhere," Johnson said. Right now, the company is building its first commercial JTEC unit, which is set to be deployed early next year. Mike McQuary, JTEC's CEO and the former president of the pioneering internet service provider MindSpring, said he couldn't reveal the customer, but said it's a "major Southeast utility company." "Crossing that bridge where you have commercial customers that believe in it and will pay for it is important," McQuary said... On top of some initial seed money, the company brought in $30 million in a Series A funding in 2022 — money that allowed the company to move to its Lee + White headquarters and hire more than 30 engineers. McQuary said it expects to begin another round of fundraising soon. "Johnson, meanwhile, hasn't stopped working on new inventions," the article points out. "He continues to refine the design for his solid-state battery..."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

❌