Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, including the spangram.

Apple will keep TikTok on its App Store for at least 75 more days after receiving assurances from Attorney General Pam Bondi, Bloomberg News reported.

Over the past few years, experts have been sounding the alarm over how much time Americans spend alone.Statistics show that were choosing to be solitary for more of our waking hours than ever before, tucked away at home rather than mingling in public. Increasing numbers of us are dining alone and traveling solo, and rates of living alone have nearly doubled in the past 50 years.These trends coincided with the surgeon generals 2023 declaration of a loneliness epidemic, leading to recent claims that the U.S. is living in an anti-social century.Loneliness and isolation are indeed social problems that warrant serious attention, especially since chronic states of loneliness are linked with poor outcomes such as depression and a shortened life span.But there is another side to this story, one that deserves a closer look. For some people, the shift toward aloneness represents a desire for what researchers call positive solitude, a state that is associated with well-being, not loneliness.As a psychologist, Ive spent the past decade researching why people like to be aloneand spending a fair amount of time there myselfso Im deeply familiar with the joys of solitude. My findings join a host of others that have documented a long list of benefits gained when we choose to spend time by ourselves, ranging from opportunities to recharge our batteries and experience personal growth to making time to connect with our emotions and our creativity.So it makes sense to me why people live alone as soon as their financial circumstances allow, and when asked why they prefer to dine solo, people say simply, I want more me time.Its also why Im not surprised that a 2024 national survey found that 56% of Americans considered alone time essential for their mental health. Or that Costco is now selling solitude sheds where for around $2,000 you can buy yourself some peace and quiet.Its clear there is a desire, and a market, for solitude right now in American culture. But why does this side of the story often get lost amid the warnings about social isolation?I suspect it has to do with a collective anxiety about being alone.The stigma of solitudeThis anxiety stems in large part from our cultures deficit view of solitude. In this type of thinking, the desire to be alone is seen as unnatural and unhealthy, something to be pitied or feared rather than valued or encouraged.This isnt just my own observation. A study published in February 2025 found that U.S. news headlines are 10 times more likely to frame being alone negatively than positively. This type of bias shapes peoples beliefs, with studies showing that adults and children alike have clear judgments about when it isand, importantly, when it is notacceptable for their peers to be alone.This makes sense given that American culture holds up extroversion as the ideal, indeed as the basis for whats normal. The hallmarks of extraversion include being sociable and assertive, as well as expressing more positive emotions and seeking more stimulation than the opposite personalitythe more reserved and risk-averse introverts. Even though not all Americans are extroverts, most of us have been conditioned to cultivate that trait, and those who do reap social and professional rewards. In this cultural milieu, preferring to be alone carries stigma.But the desire for solitude is not pathological, and its not just for introverts. Nor does it automatically spell social isolation and a lonely life. In fact, the data doesnt fully support current fears of a loneliness epidemic, something scholars and journalists have recently acknowledged.In other words, although Americans are indeed spending more time alone than previous generations did, its not clear that we are actually getting lonelier. And despite our fears for the eldest members of our society, research shows that older adults are happier in solitude than the loneliness narrative would lead us to believe.Social media disrupts our solitudeHowever, solitudes benefits dont automatically appear whenever we take a break from the social world. They arrive when we are truly alonewhen we intentionally carve out the time and space to connect with ourselvesnot when we are alone on our devices.My research has found that solitudes positive effects on well-being are far less likely to materialize if the majority of our alone time is spent staring at our screens, especially when were passively scrolling social media.This is where I believe the collective anxiety is well placed, especially the focus on young adults who are increasingly forgoing face-to-face social interaction in favor of a virtual life, and who may face significant distress as a result.Social media is by definition social. Its in the name. We cannot be truly alone when were on it. Whats more, its not the type of nourishing me time I suspect many people are longing for.True solitude turns attention inward. Its a time to slow down and reflect. A time to do as we please, not to please anyone else. A time to be emotionally available to ourselves, rather than to others. When we spend our solitude in these ways, the benefits accrue: We feel rested and rejuvenated, we gain clarity and emotional balance, we feel freer and more connected to ourselves.But if were addicted to being busy, it can be hard to slow down. If were used to looking at a screen, it can be scary to look inside. And if we dont have the skills to validate being alone as a normal and healthy human need, then we waste our alone time feeling guilty, weird, or selfish.The importance of reframing solitudeAmericans choosing to spend more time alone is indeed a challenge to the cultural script, and the stigmatization of solitude can be difficult to change. Nevertheless, a small but growing body of research indicates that it is possible, and effective, to reframe the way we think about solitude.For example, viewing solitude as a beneficial experience rather than a lonely one has been shown to help alleviate negative feelings about being alone, even for the participants who were severely lonely. People who perceive their time alone as full rather than empty are more likely to experience their alone time as meaningful, using it for growth-oriented purposes such as self-reflection or spiritual connection.Even something as simple as a linguistic shiftreplacing isolation with me timecauses people to view their alone time more positively and likely affects how their friends and family view it as well.It is true that if we dont have a community of close relationships to return to after being alone, solitude can lead to social isolation. But its also true that too much social interaction is taxing, and such overload negatively affects the quality of our relationships. The countrys recent gravitational pull toward more alone time may partially reflect a desire for more balance in a life that is too busy, too scheduled, and, yes, too social.Just as connection with others is essential for our well-being, so is connection with ourselves.Virginia Thomas is an assistant professor of psychology at Middlebury.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Gas grills are finding their place for obvious reasons, including precise temperature control and their convenience. Traeger has been building models one after another of wood-burning grills, but has a solitary entry in the accessibility sector. However, now the company is making a stride forward to ensure the backyard cook space is more exciting than just being better and convenient.Traeger is rolling out a two-burner griddle to add to its existing gas-powered option called the Flatrock 3 Zone, a slightly larger cooking station with folding wings. The new Flatrock 2 Zone is no sucker, in addition to two burners, it borrows almost all the traits of its predecessor and happens to put that inside a much smaller form factor.Designer: TraegerThe Flatrock 2 Zone thus takes up little space, wherever you choose to place it, and is perhaps billed as being the only Traeger Flatrock griddles that will let you explore new frontiers of true flavors, all while looking good whether on the patio or in the backyard. The new model has two separate propane cooking sections that ensure precise heat in both and can let you cook at temperatures up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Most interesting aspect, the two burners can also be controlled separately, so you can make breakfast on one and have smashed burgers on low flame on the other.The two cooking zones allow you to cook at different temperatures and provide precise temperature control in them. The burner is U-shaped for consistent edge-to-edge cooking and the prep area can open out thanks to the folding shelves that, along with PAL (Pop-And-Lock) rail system, let you prepare, cook, and also have your griddle setup organized. The grilling season is just upon us and while you are looking for options, you can give this Traeger Flatrock a try because despite only measuring 18 x 26 inches, it has a total cooking area of 468 square inches to let you prepare for and cook up to 18 burgers, 22 bacon strips, and 20 eggs that should be more than enough for your afternoon get together.And when you are done with the fun, the Flatrock 2 Zone with carbon steel surface is meant to leave no mess behind. It comes with EZ-Clean grease keg that ensures you can easily get rid of the debris and oil stains from the cooking most easily before putting it away to be used another day. The convenience of the Traegers new griddle is slightly cheaper than the original Flatrock 3 Zone, but itll still set you back $700. There is no word on when the company will start shipping it, but its website says it will be available soon.The post Traeger Flatrock 2-Zone griddle has two burners in a small form factor first appeared on Yanko Design.

All the files, resources and videos to accompany issue 252 of ImagineFX magazine.

National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has blamed his iPhone for accidentally inviting a journalist into a secret discussion of a strategic military strike.The Signal app promises secure and encrypted chats between users.Jeffrey Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic magazine, accepted a March 13 invitation from Waltz that was intended for National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes. Goldberg then reported on the chat, revealing that the administration used the Signal app for what should be considered classified information.A report published in the UK by The Guardian explained exactly how the error in inviting Goldberg occurred. The journalist was accidentally included because Waltz accepted an iPhone-suggested updated contact number in Hughes' original missive, thinking it was an updated number for Hughes when in fact it was the number for Goldberg. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

How do we cut through the hype and understand what AI agents can truly accomplish and, more importantly, how we should use them?Read More

A Minecraft Movie has enjoyed a record-breaking start at the box office, leapfrogging The Super Mario Bros. Movie to secure the biggest domestic debut in history for a video game adaptation.The Xbox game adaptation starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black, the latter of whom also starred in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, smashed box office expectations with an enormous $157 million at North American theaters. The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which for now remains the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time, enjoyed $146 million domestically during its opening weekend in April 2023.A Minecraft Movie added $144 million via the international box office for a global opening weekend total of $301 million. A Minecraft Movie reportedly cost $150 million to produce before global marketing costs, so it may already be profitable for Warner Bros.PlayA Minecraft Movie is of course based on Mojang's Minecraft, the best-selling video game of all time. The Microsoft-owned sandbox remains one of the most popular video games in the world, and has movie tie-in DLC to capitalize on the films launch.IGNs A Minecraft Movie review returned a 6/10. We said: Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess puts a surprisingly specific and funny comic spin on A Minecraft Movies kid-friendly adventure, especially in its less antic first half.If youve seen the film, be sure to check out IGNs A Minecraft Movie Ending and Post-Credits Scene Explained With Director Jared Hess and Minecraft's Torfi Frans lafsson.Meanwhile, Disneys live-action Snow White looks set for disaster status after a disappointing opening weekend box office. Its now up to $168.4 million globally ($77.5 million domestic and $90.9 million international), and with a reported $250 million production budget, a Mufasa: The Lion King-style sleeper hit comeback may be beyond it.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

This article contains spoilers for 1923 including the season 2 finale.As consumers of entertainment, its strange to think of how much power the public possesses over programming. No longer are conversations limited to the antiquated watercooler conversations in cubicle-riddled office spaces online forums have taken hold where fans across the globe can share their love of a film or show, and even their theories regarding what might happen in the future. Its also interesting to recognize that stars of these massive properties are not immune to forming their own theories, either. While word of mouth has increased exponentially online, sometimes there are years in between seasons, and even the stars arent sure what might happen.At the moment, Paramount has asked those of the entertainment journalism press who cover 1923 to kindly not refer to season 2 as the final season of this critically successful Yellowstone prequel. Does that mean there could be future seasons? Could there be a made-for-TV film linking the end of this chapter in the Dutton TV legacy and the modern-day generation of Yellowstone? Could it be a completely new series? Some of those options are more likely than others, but truth is, stars of the show Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Aminah Nieves, and Michelle Randolph are in the same horse-pulled buggy as any fan in not knowing whats to come.Those key cast members recently sat down with Den of Geek to discuss the shows heavy and emotional finale, but also got a chance to look ahead and share theories as to what the future could hold for their characters.One of the most anticipated moments of the entire two-season run of 1923 was Spencer (Sklenar) finally returning to the Yellowstone Ranch and reuniting with the rest of the Duttons. Spencer was to play a major part in the war against Westfield (Timothy Dutton) and his bid to eliminate the Duttons so he could simply own their land and build his tourism utopia. Creator Taylor Sheridan didnt disappoint in terms of the highly, highly, highly anticipated final shootout between the forces of Westfield and the Dutton cowboy clan, but it wasnt the only reason Spencer was eager to get home. In what would become the tearful and impassioned morsel of melodrama fans were eagerly waiting to consume, Spencer reunited with his star-crossed wife, Alexandra (Schlaepfer).When the tears and the smoke cleared, the epilogue Sheridan gives us through Elsas (Isabel May) smoky, Southern narration is that, while Alex sadly passed soon after making it to Montana, their child John, premature by three months, survived. Elsa then continues to tell the audience that her little brother Spencer lived to a ripe old age, well into the late 1960s.This was another morsel that fans had been awaiting, as the timeline would indicate this means that Grampa Spencer would have been around not only for the birth of baby John III (who would eventually grow into Kevin Costners John, in his most modern iteration) but for the first decade of Johns life.Sklenar would like to play it off that this theory isnt canon, adding that we cant confirm or deny that the John in question is the John in question but ultimately it has to at least mean that Spencer is the link between all three shows as a child in 1883, as the mustachioed champion of 1923, and as a part of Yellowstones upbringing.Theres a Dutton thing they all have, Sklenar says of what a conversation between an elder Spencer and (likely) grandson John would look like. Theres a certain weight, theres a certain sense of responsibility, theres a certain brand of masculinity thats rooted in very strong principles and morals and a code of ethics, which is ultimately about the love of their family and everything theyve worked for.I think thats also why this family is so universally loved, Sklenar continues. I could be all over the world and people tell me I love Yellowstone. Or shooting a movie in Ireland, and they love it over there. Its so different, culturally, but theres a core value there that is just so universal, that anyone can connect with. And I think that is part of what Spencer is passing down and what he got from his father, and its just this whole ethos that Taylors created.That ethos transcends the Dutton family within the Yellowstone universe to at least one other fan-favorite family, the Rainwaters. In the finale, a beleaguered Teonna (Nieves), now free of the murder charges, sets out on her own. That is, other than the child she carries inside her. Once again, that is a major link to the Yellowstone timeline, but there still remains a substantial gap. In modern times, Thomas Rainwater, (Gil Birmingham), Teonnas grandson, tells stories about his adoption and growing up not knowing his First Nations heritage. Cue the theories as to what happened in just a few decades to the Rainwater family, and why Thomas was in danger of never knowing where he came from. Could it be that Teona, who is justifiably bitter and afraid of the racism shes experienced, goes out of her way to hide from the world and hide who they are?Nieves shares her theory, arguing that even though Teonna could have easily shut herself off emotionally, it isnt likely that anything can kill her heart and spirit. Heartbreak is one of the worst things any person can go through, she says. It feels like you, yourself are dying. But I also think T is still fire hearted like they can never run out of love. [She is] a matriarchal, tenacious-ass woman. She still has to have that love within her, to keep going.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Randolphs Elizabeth went through a very similar set of circumstances to Rainwaters. She too, lost the love of her life when Jack (Darren Mann) was shot in cold blood by Whitakers goons. She too, was left without a partner, and pregnant, and last we see she is off to go back home and leave the hellscape that is Montana.Elizabeth is one of the only characters to actually walk away from the Dutton family and not end up in a casket. Its almost a trope that if youre a part of the family, especially in a prequel chapter, the only way to get out is to be buried six feet down. Even in the modern Yellowstone, family members are literally branded never to escape the ranch completely.Her character, who went through a lot this season, and was perhaps justifiably griping and whining for much of it had always known the Duttons lifestyle was bad news, and brought nothing but death.I think Elizabeths whole arc this season was just learning how to survive, Randolph says. Ultimately, she knew if she stayed on the ranch, it would be like signing a death warrant. And she was correct. Jack dies, her father dies, the nurse dies. Its just continuous. So the end for her was actually more about protecting her baby and wanting her baby to not have the same fate that Jack did.Granted things might be better for Elizabeth away from the Duttons, to raise her child in relative safety, but Randolph believes the ending actually shows that Elizabeth is embracing the Dutton within her. Elizabeth leaves a different person, and theres a lot of strength in that final scene, showing that she really is a Dutton woman, caring about her family. I think one day, love exists again. It has to.The big question is, does anyone truly get a happy ending in a Taylor Sheridan piece? The writer is notorious for his use of death and loss to really nail a memorable conclusion and ensure his characters have a dramatic arc from beginning to end. Despite her character dying, Julia Schlaepfer certainly defends the depth of Sheridans writing, as melancholy as it may be.Taylors a sucker for an incredible love story, she argues. I think he writes love stories so beautifully.Does that mean she ultimately sees her characters ending as happy? It might not be the happy ending that a lot of people wanted. I would have loved to have seen Alex on the ranch with Spencer and the whole family but, when they reunite in that heavenly 1920s ballroom at the end, thats the story that theyre meant to have.Ultimately, Schlaepfer puts it perfectly and succinctly as to why the Yellowstone legacy continues, and why audience members continue to watch (despite all the heartache). I think its just the most beautiful example of how strong and enduring love is.All seven episodes of 1923 season 2 are available to stream on Paramount+ now.

According to Mark Gurmans Power On newsletter, the iPhone 17 Pro design might not necessarily be a gigantic year over year leap. Early iPhone 17 Pro rumors suggested the possibility of a more drastic design change, whereas now itll be far more similar to last years design, apparently.In his newsletter, Gurman not to expect a particularly bold new look with iPhone 17 Pro. The front will appear quite similar to the 16 Pro, whereas the back camera will look meaningfully different.Early iPhone 17 Pro rumors suggested the possibility of a smaller Dynamic Island cutout, whereas this would suggest that isnt going to happen.Gurman even goes a step further, and says that the two-tone design isnt going to happen:Some images online even showa two-tone design, with adark-black camera block on top of a silver iPhone back. Those are, like many renders on the internet, not an accurate representation of whats to come.The iPhone 17 Pro wont have a two-toned back, Im told. The camera area will bethe same color as the rest of the device. That speaks to the more gradual design changes that Apple is making: The iPhone 17 Pro isnta majordeparture from current models.In short, the design wont be a huge year over year jump from the 16 Pro, although it does sound like the idea of a camera bar design is still going to stick around. Itll just be filled with the color of the iPhone body.Gurman also referenced more drastic iPhone changes coming in 2027, alongside the 20th anniversary of the iPhone. Both a foldable and a bold new Pro model will be launching.My favorite Apple accessories on Amazon:Follow Michael:X/Twitter,Bluesky,InstagramAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel