Puzzles in the News | StickyPuzzles                                         Puzzles in the news
-------------------

A hand-picked roundup of the most interesting news, trends, and talking points in puzzles, games, and brain teasers.

 [ All News ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news) [ Weekly Puzzle Digest ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/category/weekly-puzzle-digest) 

   All tags   The business of Puzzles   Research Paper   Sticky Puzzle   Technology   Health   Education   Lifestyle   Science   Media   Crosswords   Sudoku   Accessibility   People & Personality   History   Books   Puzzle Products   Social Media & Influencers   AI   Travel   Puzzle Launches   Copyright & Legal   Solving Strategies  - [ ![Inpublishing - Peter Stirling | Image Credit - Ashkan Forouzani (Unsplash0.](https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/images/articles/main/ashkan-forouzani-m0l9nbcivuk-unsplash-cropped-30185.webp) ](https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/puzzle-strategies-5-minutes-with-peter-stirling-25849) 

    - [ The business of Puzzles ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/the-business-of-puzzles)
    - [ Media ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/media)
    - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality)

    ###  [ Puzzle strategies: 5 minutes with… Peter Stirling ](https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/puzzle-strategies-5-minutes-with-peter-stirling-25849) 

     April 2026 | Inpublishing - Peter Stirling | Image Credit - Ashkan Forouzani (Unsplash0.

    Puzzles has long been part of the newspaper offering, but its usage has grown considerably. We grab five minutes with Peter Stirling, head of puzzles at PA Media, to find out why and what publishers need to know when planning their puzzles strategy.

     [ Read Article ](https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/puzzle-strategies-5-minutes-with-peter-stirling-25849)
- [ ![Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/methode_times_prod_web_bin_b49524e9-7dca-4958-907d-19fde311801a.jpg) ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2024/06/07/crossword-creators-series-p12-richard-rogan-the-pioneer-of-modern-times-cryptics/) 

    - [ Sticky Puzzle ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/sticky-puzzle)
    - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords)
    - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality)
    - [ History ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/history)

    ###  [ Crossword Creators: Richard Rogan – The Pioneer of Modern Times Cryptics ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2024/06/07/crossword-creators-series-p12-richard-rogan-the-pioneer-of-modern-times-cryptics/) 

     April 2026 | Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles

    After exploring the enigmatic crossword creators from across the globe, we turn our focus to the UK and delve into the life of Richard Rogan, the illustrious editor of The Times Crossword. Rogan, celebrated for his clever wordplay and innovative contributions, transformed the world of British crosswords with his unique style and editorial acumen

     [ Read Article ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2024/06/07/crossword-creators-series-p12-richard-rogan-the-pioneer-of-modern-times-cryptics/)
- [ ![Business Insider - Sarah E Needleman | Image Credit - Thomas Snyder](https://i.insider.com/69c6c7de445048b5f68bbc0f?width=2000&format=jpeg&auto=webp) ](https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-puzzlemaster-behind-linkedin-games-zip-and-patches-2026-3) 

    - [ The business of Puzzles ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/the-business-of-puzzles)
    - [ Media ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/media)
    - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality)

    ###  [ LinkedIn wants you playing games on its site. Meet the puzzlemaster behind them. ](https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-puzzlemaster-behind-linkedin-games-zip-and-patches-2026-3) 

     March 2026 | Business Insider - Sarah E Needleman | Image Credit - Thomas Snyder

    LinkedIn wants its users to do more than scroll. Thomas Snyder's job at the networking platform is to make that happen by giving them mind-bending challenges to solve — and maybe even brag about. The 46-year-old handcrafts logic games meant to give its users a shared daily experience they can bond over. Initially hired as a consultant, he joined LinkedIn full time in October.

     [ Read Article ](https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-puzzlemaster-behind-linkedin-games-zip-and-patches-2026-3)
- [ ![Observer - Caitlin O'Kane | Image Credit - Observer](https://cdn.slowdownwiseup.co.uk/media/original_images/WEB_093445-azo_250708_0012_695c03a5558cb1b7c7c4e5543da74da26a34335a.jpg.2500x0_q70.webp) ](https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/its-no-puzzle-why-the-crossword-is-marking-its-hundredth-year-in-the-observer) 

    - [ Media ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/media)
    - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality)
    - [ Puzzle Products ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/puzzle-products)
    - [ Puzzle Launches ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/puzzle-launches)

    ###  [ It’s no puzzle why the crossword is marking its 100th year in The Observer ](https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/its-no-puzzle-why-the-crossword-is-marking-its-hundredth-year-in-the-observer) 

     March 2026 | Observer - Caitlin O'Kane | Image Credit - Observer

    Our crossword has survived wars, paper shortages, and a century of upheaval without missing a week. Our first dedicated puzzles editor reflects on the power – and magic – of a good brain-teaser

     [ Read Article ](https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/its-no-puzzle-why-the-crossword-is-marking-its-hundredth-year-in-the-observer)
- [ ![XWords4All - A blog about digital puzzles](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/image-5.jpeg) ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/25/crossword-creators-series-p11-michel-laclos-the-french-virtuoso-who-brought-poetry-to-puzzles/) 

    - [ Sticky Puzzle ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/sticky-puzzle)
    - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords)
    - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality)
    - [ History ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/history)

    ###  [ Crossword Creators: Michel Laclos – The French Virtuoso Who Brought Poetry to Puzzles ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/25/crossword-creators-series-p11-michel-laclos-the-french-virtuoso-who-brought-poetry-to-puzzles/) 

     March 2026 | XWords4All - A blog about digital puzzles

    After traversing the crossword landscapes of America and Britain, we now set our sights on France to explore the life of Michel Laclos, a man who was not just a crossword setter but also a linguistic virtuoso. Laclos brought a unique European flair to the crossword art form, blending sophistication and poetic clues in a way that was distinctly French.

     [ Read Article ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/25/crossword-creators-series-p11-michel-laclos-the-french-virtuoso-who-brought-poetry-to-puzzles/)
- [ ![Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles|Photo Credit: TIMES NEWSPAPERS LTD](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F59434818-7388-11e7-8eac-856e9b33761e.jpg?crop=1020%2C574%2C25%2C29&resize=1500) ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/20/crossword-creators-series-adrian-bell-the-british-farmer-who-cultivated-the-cryptic-crossword/) 

    - [ Sticky Puzzle ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/sticky-puzzle)
    - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords)
    - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality)
    - [ History ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/history)

    ###  [ Crossword Creators: Adrian Bell – The British Farmer Who Cultivated the Cryptic Crossword ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/20/crossword-creators-series-adrian-bell-the-british-farmer-who-cultivated-the-cryptic-crossword/) 

     February 2026 | Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles|Photo Credit: TIMES NEWSPAPERS LTD

    It’s time to turn our attention to a man who was not just a wordsmith but also a British farmer and writer. Meet Adrian Bell, the pioneer who sowed the seeds for the cryptic crossword in The Times back in 1930. With his unique blend of fairness, literary flair, and humour, Bell transformed the crossword landscape, setting the gold standard for puzzles in the UK.

     [ Read full article ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/20/crossword-creators-series-adrian-bell-the-british-farmer-who-cultivated-the-cryptic-crossword/)
- [ ![Observer - Caitlin O'Kane | Image Credit - Antonio Olmos](https://cdn.slowdownwiseup.co.uk/media/original_images/89352.jpeg.2500x0_q70.webp) ](https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-end-of-an-era-and-a-celebration-to-come) 

    - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords)
    - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality)

    ###  [ Azed’s clue-writing competition: the end of an era, and a celebration to come ](https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-end-of-an-era-and-a-celebration-to-come) 

     January 2026 | Observer - Caitlin O'Kane | Image Credit - Antonio Olmos

    Once a month, for 80 years, something unusual has happened in The Observer. A cryptic crossword appears with one clue marked by an asterisk. But that clue isn’t cryptic at all. It’s a simple definition. Solvers complete the grid and find the word. Then the game inverts. Solvers become compilers. They write their own cryptic clue for that word and send it in to be judged.

     [ Read Article ](https://observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-end-of-an-era-and-a-celebration-to-come)
- [ ![Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/5e84c03211541400178e38e2.png) ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/19/crossword-creators-series-vladimir-portugalov-the-mathematician-who-cracked-the-crossword-code/) 

    - [ Sticky Puzzle ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/sticky-puzzle)
    - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords)
    - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality)
    - [ History ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/history)

    ###  [ Crossword Creators: Vladimir Portugalov – The Mathematician Who Cracked the Crossword Code ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/19/crossword-creators-series-vladimir-portugalov-the-mathematician-who-cracked-the-crossword-code/) 

     January 2026 | Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles

    In this instalment of our ‘Crossword Creators’ series, we delve into the life and work of Vladimir Portugalov, a mathematician turned crossword constructor who brought a unique analytical approach to the world of puzzles. Known for his intricate designs and mathematical precision, Portugalov has left an indelible mark on the crossword community.

     [ Read full article ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/19/crossword-creators-series-vladimir-portugalov-the-mathematician-who-cracked-the-crossword-code/)
- [ ](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2025-11-24/crossword-history-natan-last) 

    - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords)
    - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality)

    ###  [ The crossword has a radical history. A puzzle veteran explores why ](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2025-11-24/crossword-history-natan-last) 

     December 2025 | Los Angeles Times - Mark Athitakis

    In August, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani hosted a citywide scavenger hunt, inviting voters to scour the boroughs in search of historic political sites. (Grand prize: a bag of chips.) Clues for it were written by veteran puzzle maker Natan Last, who has long endorsed the idea that puzzles at their best blend politics, community and a nerdy good time.

     [ Read full article ](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/books/story/2025-11-24/crossword-history-natan-last)
- [ ![Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles](https://tryhardguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/featured-crossword-clue-asterisks-781x439.jpg) ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/18/crossword-creators-series-shuchi-uralikandi-the-linguistic-trailblazer/) 

    - [ Sticky Puzzle ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/sticky-puzzle)
    - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords)
    - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality)
    - [ History ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/history)

    ###  [ Crossword Creators: Shuchi Uralikandi – The Linguistic Trailblazer ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/18/crossword-creators-series-shuchi-uralikandi-the-linguistic-trailblazer/) 

     December 2025 | Xwords4All - A blog about digital puzzles

    Today it is the turn of a puzzle creator who has left an indelible mark on the crossword community. Today, we turn our spotlight to Shuchi Uralikandi, a crossword constructor whose journey is as captivating as the puzzles she masterfully crafts. Her path to prominence is marked not only by her linguistic prowess but also breaking gender barriers within the crossword community.

     [ Read full article ](https://xwords4all.wordpress.com/2023/09/18/crossword-creators-series-shuchi-uralikandi-the-linguistic-trailblazer/)
- [ ![The Telegraph - Chris Lancaster | Image Credit - Lorne Campbell (Guzelian)](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/mnd-has-shattered-my-life-but-i-m-determined-to-find-joy-in-the-little-time-i-have-left/thumbnail) ](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas-charity-appeal/2025/11/29/telegraph-puzzles-editor-mnd-journey/) 

    - [ Crosswords ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/crosswords)
    - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality)

    ###  [ MND has shattered my life. But I’m determined to find joy in the little time I have left ](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas-charity-appeal/2025/11/29/telegraph-puzzles-editor-mnd-journey/) 

     November 2025 | The Telegraph - Chris Lancaster | Image Credit - Lorne Campbell (Guzelian)

    There aren’t many illnesses for which there is no respite, no treatment and no cure, and which carry a guaranteed death sentence, normally within two to three years. Motor neurone disease (MND) is one of them, which is why it was a shock to be diagnosed with it in December 2023, at the comparatively young age of 52.

     [ Read full article ](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas-charity-appeal/2025/11/29/telegraph-puzzles-editor-mnd-journey/)
- [ ![The Seattle Times - Nicole Winfield | Image Credit - By Edgar Beltrán, The Pillar](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/pontifical-secret-revealed-pope-leo-xiv-changes-his-wordle-start-word-each-day/thumbnail) ](https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/pontifical-secret-revealed-pope-leo-xiv-changes-his-wordle-start-word-each-day/) 

    - [ People & Personality ](https://www.stickypuzzles.com/news/tags/people-personality)

    ###  [ Pontifical secret revealed: Pope Leo XIV changes his Wordle start word each day ](https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/pontifical-secret-revealed-pope-leo-xiv-changes-his-wordle-start-word-each-day/) 

     November 2025 | The Seattle Times - Nicole Winfield | Image Credit - By Edgar Beltrán, The Pillar

    Pope Leo XIV opened a virtual meeting with American Catholic young people Friday by revealing a closely held pontifical secret: He uses a different Wordle start word each day. Leo divulged his strategy for the popular New York Times online game before fielding questions via videoconference about artificial intelligence, social media and the future of the Catholic Church.

     [ Read full article ](https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/pontifical-secret-revealed-pope-leo-xiv-changes-his-wordle-start-word-each-day/)