LOS ANGELES — Singer Miley Cyrus has added an unexpected new member to her family, rescuing a 20-year-old African spurred tortoise named Teru from the shelter system with help from the nonprofit rescue organization Wags and Walks.

Cyrus announced the adoption on Instagram Stories on Sunday, sharing a photo of herself feeding the large tortoise chunks of a yellow bell pepper. “Welcome home, Teru,” she wrote alongside the image.

The adoption marks the first time Wags and Walks, primarily known for rescuing dogs, has facilitated the adoption of a tortoise. The organization said it stepped in after learning of Cyrus’s interest in providing a home for the animal.

“You truly never know who you’ll find in a shelter🤍,” Wags and Walks posted on Instagram. “When we heard that @mileycyrus was hoping to adopt a tortoise, we knew we had to make the connection happen. After a little coordination, the stars aligned, and Teru officially found his forever home with Miley.”

The rescue group emphasized that while tortoises in shelters are uncommon, they are not unheard of, particularly amid overcrowding issues affecting animal care facilities nationwide. “As unexpected as this rescue was, it’s also a reminder of the reality shelters are facing right now,” the organization added. “Animals of all kinds are ending up in overcrowded systems, and more pets than ever are in need of safe places to go.”

Teru, a sulcata tortoise species known for growing quite large and living for decades, had been navigating the shelter system before finding his permanent home with the 33-year-old “Flowers” singer. African spurred tortoises can live 50 to 150 years and require specialized long-term care, making responsible adoptions particularly meaningful.

Cyrus’s latest animal rescue aligns with her well-documented love for pets. She has previously shared her home with several dogs and has been vocal about animal welfare causes throughout her career. The timing of the adoption comes just days after she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a milestone she celebrated with family including her mother Tish Cyrus, sister Brandi Cyrus and fiancé Maxx Morando.

During her emotional Walk of Fame speech, Cyrus highlighted the support of her loved ones. “To my family, my future family, parents, my mom, my siblings, my friends, my collaborators, thank you for loving and supporting not only the choices that I make, but my fears, and then facing them with me,” she said. “Today is something that I’ll never forget, and I’m always going to cherish. I love you all so much, thank you.”

The tortoise rescue adds a lighthearted chapter to Cyrus’s recent personal and professional milestones. Known for her bold artistic evolution from Disney child star to boundary-pushing pop artist, she has often used her platform to advocate for causes close to her heart, including animal rights and mental health awareness.

Wags and Walks, based in Los Angeles, has built a reputation for high-volume rescues and innovative placement strategies. Just two weeks before coordinating Teru’s adoption, the group pulled 29 dogs from a high-intake shelter facing severe overcrowding risks. The organization relies heavily on community support, fosters and donations to continue its mission.

The decision to assist with a tortoise adoption demonstrates the group’s flexibility in responding to unique opportunities. While dogs remain their primary focus, officials noted that every animal deserves a chance at a loving home when the right adopter comes along.

Sulcata tortoises like Teru are one of the largest mainland tortoise species, often reaching 200 pounds or more as adults. They require spacious outdoor enclosures, specific diets rich in grasses and vegetables, and consistent temperature regulation. Responsible ownership demands long-term commitment, something Cyrus appears prepared to provide.

Animal welfare advocates praised the high-profile adoption for raising awareness about shelter overcrowding and the diverse animals needing homes. Stories like this often inspire others to consider adoption over purchasing animals from breeders, particularly for unconventional pets.

Cyrus has not shared additional details about Teru’s integration into her household, but fans quickly flooded her social media with supportive comments and tortoise care suggestions. The singer’s playful personality and love for animals have long endeared her to followers, making this rescue particularly resonant.

This latest chapter fits into Cyrus’s broader pattern of using her influence for positive causes. From environmental advocacy to LGBTQ+ rights and now animal rescue, she consistently leverages her celebrity for awareness and action. Her authentic approach has helped maintain a loyal fanbase through various career phases.

The rescue also highlights the growing trend of celebrities adopting animals from shelters rather than purchasing from pet stores or breeders. Many stars, including Cyrus, have used such moments to promote responsible pet ownership and support local rescue organizations.

As Teru settles into his new forever home, the story serves as a reminder of the unexpected joys that can come from opening one’s heart and home to shelter animals. Wags and Walks encouraged potential adopters to consider all types of animals in need, noting that every rescue creates space for another.

Cyrus’s fans expressed delight at seeing another side of the multi-talented artist, who continues balancing music, acting and personal passions. Her willingness to share both major career moments and quiet personal joys has helped maintain her connection with audiences worldwide.

For Wags and Walks, the successful placement represents another victory in their ongoing battle against shelter overcrowding. The group continues calling for increased spay and neuter programs, better funding for animal services and greater public support for adoption.

The heartwarming story of Miley Cyrus and Teru the tortoise offers a welcome dose of positivity amid often challenging news cycles. It demonstrates how small acts of compassion, amplified by public figures, can shine a light on important issues while celebrating new beginnings.

As Teru explores his new environment and enjoys fresh vegetables under Cyrus’s care, the adoption stands as a testament to the life-changing impact of rescue efforts and the special bonds formed between humans and animals of all species.

NEW YORK — The New York Times Strands puzzle for Monday, May 26, 2026, delivered another engaging word-search challenge to players celebrating Memorial Day with a clever mix of summer-themed words and a satisfying spangram that tied the grid together.

Puzzle number #289 featured a 6×8 letter grid containing hidden words connected by a common theme. The objective: find all the theme words plus one spangram — a word that uses every letter in the puzzle at least once — to complete the game.

Today’s theme was BEACH DAY ESSENTIALS. Players who cracked the code discovered the following six themed words hidden horizontally, vertically or diagonally in the grid:

• SUNSCREEN
• TOWEL
• UMBRELLA
• COOLER
• FLIPFLOPS
• SANDCASTLE

The spangram that connected everything and used every letter in the puzzle was SEASHORE, a fitting word that captured the overall summer vibe of the puzzle.

Many players reported solving the puzzle in 12 to 18 minutes, with the spangram proving to be the trickiest element for some. The presence of longer compound words like SUNSCREEN and FLIPFLOPS required careful scanning of the grid, while shorter words like TOWEL and COOLER offered early breakthroughs for solvers.

Strands, which launched in 2024 as part of The New York Times Games lineup, has quickly become a favorite among word game enthusiasts who enjoy the hybrid format combining elements of word searches, crosswords and Connections. Each daily puzzle offers a fresh grid with a hidden theme that becomes clearer as more words are uncovered.

On Memorial Day 2026, with many Americans enjoying a long weekend, the beach-themed puzzle resonated strongly. Social media platforms filled with shared results showing players’ solve times and reactions. The summer-appropriate theme felt particularly timely as temperatures rise across much of the country.

The New York Times Games team designs each Strands puzzle to offer a balance of accessibility and challenge. Monday’s edition was rated as moderate difficulty, with the spangram providing that final satisfying “aha” moment for most players.

For those who missed the solution, the theme words all relate to items commonly taken on beach outings or summer vacations. The spangram SEASHORE cleverly encompasses both the location and the overall feeling of the puzzle.

Strands continues gaining popularity as part of the expanding New York Times puzzle ecosystem that includes Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee and The Mini Crossword. The game’s shareable results feature allows players to post colorful grids without spoiling the answers for others still solving.

Educational experts have praised Strands for developing visual scanning skills, vocabulary recognition and thematic thinking. Teachers have begun incorporating similar word-search activities in classrooms to build literacy and pattern recognition abilities.

The Memorial Day timing meant higher participation from casual players who typically engage with puzzles only on days off. This broader audience created more varied reactions online, with beginners celebrating any completion and veteran solvers aiming for faster times or perfect solves without hints.

Regular players have developed strategies such as scanning for common letter combinations, focusing on longer words first, or looking for unusual letter patterns that might indicate the spangram. Monday’s puzzle rewarded those who noticed clusters of summer-related vocabulary early.

The New York Times has steadily refined Strands since its introduction, adjusting word selection and grid complexity to maintain engagement across different skill levels. The daily reset at midnight local time creates a shared global experience as players in different time zones tackle the same challenge throughout the day.

Monday’s solution highlighted the game’s ability to blend education and entertainment. The beach theme sparked memories of summer vacations for many, while the spangram encouraged creative thinking about how individual words connect to a larger concept.

Community discussions around the daily puzzle often highlight different solving approaches. Some players tackle obvious theme words first, while others scan systematically row by row. The variety of strategies contributes to the game’s broad appeal.

As Strands reaches higher puzzle numbers, its cultural impact continues expanding. References to the game appear in podcasts, television shows and casual conversations, cementing its place in modern digital culture alongside other NYT Games offerings.

For families, Strands serves as an engaging group activity. Parents solve alongside children, discussing possible theme connections and sharing strategies, turning screen time into interactive learning moments.

The May 26 puzzle demonstrated the game’s range. From practical beach items to the encompassing spangram, it covered both literal and conceptual territory while remaining solvable for most dedicated players.

Looking ahead, Tuesday’s puzzle will reset with fresh letters and a new theme. Regular players often study letter frequency patterns and common thematic clusters to improve performance over time.

The game’s clean interface and lack of advertisements have contributed to its sustained success. Unlike more commercial puzzle apps, Strands prioritizes the solving experience above all else.

The New York Times Games division continues investing in its daily offerings, with Strands remaining one of the standout additions to the lineup. Its growth reflects broader trends toward mentally stimulating entertainment in an increasingly digital world.

For those who struggled with Monday’s puzzle, the official New York Times site offers hints and eventual solutions for previous days. However, many prefer the satisfaction of solving in real time without spoilers.

The May 26 edition joins thousands of other Strands puzzles in providing daily moments of intellectual satisfaction. Whether solved quickly or after several attempts, it delivers the rewarding feeling of uncovering hidden connections in a grid of letters.

In an often chaotic world, simple games like Strands offer a brief escape and a reminder that sometimes the most enjoyable discoveries come from finding order within apparent randomness.

Players are already looking forward to tomorrow’s challenge, continuing a daily tradition that has brought millions together through shared curiosity and friendly competition. The beach-themed solution for Memorial Day 2026 provided the perfect mental getaway for many enjoying the long weekend.

FUNDAMENTALS

* Spot gold rose 0.2% at $4,516.76 per ounce, as of 0051 GMT. U.S. gold futures ‌for June ⁠delivery gained ⁠0.3% to $4,516.30.

* The dollar eased, making greenback-priced bullion more affordable for holders of other currencies. [USD/]

* Iran said on Tuesday the United States had violated a ceasefire by striking targets near the contested Strait of Hormuz, potentially complicating efforts to bring the war to a close.

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* U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, meanwhile, said ⁠it could ‌take “a few days” to negotiate a deal to halt the conflict, after both sides had previously indicated ⁠progress on an initial agreement that would end hostilities and restart shipping through the Strait.
* U.S. consumer confidence eased in May as worries about inflation linked to the war in Iran intensified, and households’ views of the labor market were largely pessimistic, though they anticipated an improvement by the end of this year.
* Markets are looking out for ‌upcoming remarks by U.S. Federal Reserve policymakers, including Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson and Governor Lisa Cook, to gauge the impact of inflation ⁠on future monetary policy stance.
* Investors also await the U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) data for April due on Thursday, for more cues on U.S. monetary policy.

* UBS lowered its year-end gold price target by $400 to $5,500 due to persistent risk from higher yields and the dollar.

* Spot silver rose 0.6% to $77.40 per ounce, platinum was little changed at $1,957.75, and palladium gained 0.9% to $1,391.68.