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The Indie Game Awards has stripped Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 of both its Game of the Year and Debut Game awards, citing the roleplaying game's use of generative AI.

Run by Six One Indie, the annual Indie Game Awards aims to highlight excellence in independent video game development. Titles are eligible for consideration in the Indie Game Awards if their developers are outside the "traditional publisher system," and were not owned or financially controlled by a major corporation. Said games also must not have used any generative AI in their development process, which would make them "strictly ineligible for nomination." 

Unfortunately, it appears that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's developer Sandfall Interactive did indeed use generative AI, disqualifying them from the Indie Game Awards.

SEE ALSO: 'Clair Obscur: Expedition 33' review: Final Fantasy vibes and emotional maturity

"The Indie Game Awards have a hard stance on the use of gen AI throughout the nomination process and during the ceremony itself," the Indie Game Awards wrote, announcing its decision over the weekend. "When it was submitted for consideration, a representative of Sandfall Interactive agreed that no gen AI was used in the development of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

"In light of Sandfall Interactive confirming the use of gen AI art in production on the day of the Indie Game Awards 2025 premiere, this does disqualify Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 from its nomination. While the assets in question were patched out and it is a wonderful game, it does go against the regulations we have in place."

The Indie Game Awards' Game of the Year and Debut Game will now be awarded to the second-highest scoring titles in each respective category. As such, Debut Game goes to à la mode games' survival horror Sorry We’re Closed, while the Indie Game Awards' Game of the Year 2025 is Dogubomb's puzzle adventure game Blue Prince.

The IGAs Nomination Committee is officially retracting Debut Game and Game of the Year, awarding both categories to new recipients. Additionally, we are retracting one of the Indie Vanguard recipients. Full details can be found in our FAQ under Game Eligibility: www.indiegameawards.gg/faq

[image or embed]

— The Indie Game Awards (@indiegameawards.gg) December 21, 2025 at 5:45 AM

Sandfall Interactive had previously disclosed its use of AI in a July interview with Spanish newspaper El País, though did not explicitly confirm that the tools they used were generative in nature. At the time, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's producer François Meurisse merely stated that they had used "some AI" in the game's production.

In a later update to El País' article, Sandfall Interactive claimed that no generative AI assets currently remain in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. However, it confirmed that generative AI was used to create placeholder textures during development, not all of which were removed prior to release due to oversights in the quality assurance process. Sandfall Interactive states that such AI-generated textures were replaced within five days of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's launch, and were never intended to be included in the final game.

Players did indeed spot AI-generated textures in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 upon its April 24 release, quickly calling out suspicious in-game posters on social media. Less than a week later, patch notes for a hotfix noted that the developers had "replaced a placeholder texture with the correct visual asset."

Even so, the Indie Game Awards were apparently unaware of these events, as it did not discover Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's AI use until Dec. 18, the day the winners were announced.

Reaction to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's disqualification from the Indie Game Awards has been mixed. While some fans appreciate the awards' strict stance against generative AI, others feel that Sandfall Interactive's use of the technology to create a few placeholder poster assets was relatively minor and should be permissible in this case. Still, the Indie Game Awards' criteria requires that no generative AI be used at all, regardless of the extent of such use.

"Thank you for standing up and speaking out for a more ethical games industry," wrote @erin-hallow on Bluesky. "In a time where authentic human creativity is under threat and big players perpetuate that issue, it means a lot to see an awards show that truly cares about the authenticity of the games it showcases."

"Considering a single placeholder asset made it into the final version, entirely by mistake, it seems a bit silly but rules are rules I guess," Redditor u/Caridor wrote on the r/expedition33 subreddit. (Note: Technically at least two placeholder assets were spotted, but their sentiment stands.)

While Sandfall Interactive hasn't directly commented on the retraction of its Indie Game Awards at time of writing, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 still has plenty of other wins to keep it warm. The highly lauded French game swept the 2025 Game Awards earlier this month, taking home Game of the Year as well as eight other trophies. It also took six wins at the Golden Joystick awards, including Ultimate Game of the Year.

Use of generative AI in game development is a contentious issue. Though some see it as a tool to increase efficiency, many others are concerned that generative AI will replace real artists, eliminating jobs from an already struggling industry while flooding the market with low-quality, soulless AI slop.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

To hover.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

FLOAT

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To break

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

BURNT

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Two times.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

TWICE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To raise.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 22 Hurdle Word 4 answer

HOIST

Final Hurdle hint

Shiny and solid.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

METAL

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

The Moon is coming back from complete darkness, but it's still showing just a hint of light. Over the next few nights, it will get bigger and brighter, and soon we'll be able to spot craters, mares, and other interesting features on its surface.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Monday, Dec. 22, the moon phase is Waxing Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Observation, 6% of the moon will be lit up tonight. So little of the Moon is lit up that nothing on its surface is visible tonight. Check back again tomorrow.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Jan. 3. The last full moon was on Dec. 4.

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to complete one full cycle. This is known as the lunar cycle. Throughout this time, it passes through a series of phases as it orbits Earth. Although the same side of the Moon always faces us, the amount of sunlight reflecting off its surface changes, which is why it can appear fully illuminated, partly lit, or completely invisible at different points in the cycle. This process is divided into eight main lunar phases:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TL;DR: Live stream Mali vs. Zambia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Africa Cup of Nations is up and running. Morocco and Comoros kicked things off, but now it's time for the other Group A teams to take each other on. Mali face Zambia in a fascinating matchup. Fans will be expecting Morocco to top this group, so every point is going to be vital in the battle to progress to the knockout rounds.

If you want to watch Mali vs. Zambia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Mali vs. Zambia?

Mali vs. Zambia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 9 a.m. ET on Dec. 22. This fixture takes place at the Mohammed V Stadium.

How to watch Mali vs. Zambia for free

Mali vs. Zambia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Mali vs. Zambia for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit Channel 4

5. Watch Mali vs. Zambia for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Mali vs. Zambia (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Mali vs. Zambia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Upgrade an old PC with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows license, on sale now for just $34.97 (reg. $219.99).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $34.97
$219.99 Save $185.02   Get Deal

The holiday season isn’t a great time to need a new laptop. If you have an older device, getting a Microsoft Office license for it is the next best thing. It gives you some essential tools that can give your productivity a much-needed boost during this busy time of the year.

Right now, you can refresh your computer with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows license for only $34.97 (reg. $219.99).

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If you’ve been living without Microsoft Office, it’s time to make life a little easier. Whether you counted on some of the classic ones to get you through school or you’re totally new to these tools, these apps can help you tackle professional and personal tasks, and this license gives you eight of them.

For just $5 each, you can create documents in Word, build a budget in Excel, manage your emails in Outlook, and design eye-catching presentations in PowerPoint. Teams can keep you connected to coworkers, Access helps you manage large databases, OneNote organizes your digital notes, and Publisher can help you design professional documents.

Don’t worry about this edition hailing from 2021; all the apps have been redesigned. They’re ready to improve your daily workflow, whether you’re a data analyst or designer. Purchases come with an instant delivery and download, so you can install them directly on your device without the need for a cloud connection.

Note: Make sure your device is running Windows 10 or 11 before you purchase. Get a Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows license for only $34.97 (reg. $219.99).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

When it comes to tackling the inevitable spills and messes of modern life, the convenience and power of a wet/dry vacuum cleaner are unparalleled. This category has completely revolutionised the way we approach general cleaning, allowing users to handle everything from dust to thick liquids in one go. Rendering the traditional mop obsolete, one machine that can clean up any household accident is the way of the future. So, if you are searching for a high-performance cleaning tool, a hybrid vacuum should be at the top of your list. And when it comes to leading the pack with next-generation cleaning technology, you can’t go past the Eureka Floorshine 880.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eureka Eureka FloorShine 880 AU$799 at Amazon Australia
AU$1,099 Save AU$300   Get Deal Key SpecsIndustry-Exclusive Odour Removal

The feature that sets the Floorshine 880 apart is its Industry-Exclusive Odour Removal Technology. Anyone who has used a hybrid vacuum before, knows the frustrating and unpleasant issue of the lingering odour from the dirty-water tank. Because these machines are designed to tackle anything, at any viscosity, that life throws at it, that tank can get smelly – fast! And with fast-paced modern life, cleaning the machine after every use is just not always feasible. There is nothing worse than reaching for your wet-dry vac to tackle a mess and realise the machine itself needs cleaning, or where you house your machine has a lingering smell.

Recognising the issues, Eureka engineered a first-of-its-kind solution for modern life. The Floorshine 880 goes beyond standard cleaning by incorporating a built-in deodouriser that actively targets and neutralises odours at the source, ensuring the machine itself stays fresh.

Innovative Machine Design for Effortless Cleaning

Beyond solving the odour problem, the Eureka Floorshine 880 is designed to make cleaning effortless. Unlike most upright wet-dry vacs on the market, the Floorshine 880 boasts an impressive 180-degree lie-flat capability. Ensuring you can tackle dirt in all those hard-to-reach places, users no longer have to change machines or strain their backs as the unit provides effortless access to clean under low-lying furniture, beds and right spaces.

Complementing this flexibility is the Anti-Tangle 4.0 brush-roller design. Pet owners, this one is for you. Featuring a new stainless steel design, 104 comb teeth, this newly designed brush roll ensures seamless continuous cleaning performance without the constant need for manual hair removal and maintenance.

Triple-Side Edge Cleaning

The Eureka Floorshine 880 is the ultimate all-in-one cleaning tool, eliminating the need for secondary cleaning items. While traditional wet/dry vacuums often struggle to clean flush against baseboards and into corners, the Floorshine 880 triple-side edge cleaning removes the hassle of bending down on your hands and knees to scrub corners manually.

This innovative system ensures the brush roller actively cleans along all three edges of the unit, left, right, and front, allowing the machine to tackle dirt right up against walls and into tight spots where dirt and debris commonly accumulate. Providing a true edge-to-edge clean.

Smart DualDrive for Effortless Movement

The core of the Floorshine 880’s convenience stems from its Smart DualDrive for effortless movement. No longer do you have to physically lug a machine around your home. The powerful Smart DualDrive offers forward and reverse assistance, effectively turning the weight of the machine into an advantage and making manoeuvring across large spaces feel almost self-propelled.

Smart Dirt Detection

This easy movement is paired with Smart Dirt Detection, as the machine glides along your floor, the machine will automatically sense the level of debris and stains, adjusting water flow and suction required to tackle the mess. This means you no longer have to fiddle with buttons as you move from carpet to tiles or adjust settings when you roll over spillages. The machine does it all for you. Not only does this save you time, but it also always ensures optimal resource use, so you don't waste water or battery life on light messes, while still delivering maximum scrubbing power exactly where you need it. All in real-time. Paired with the automatic detergent dispenser, you never have to guess how much cleaning fluid you need – and you only need to top up every 45 days. 

Finally, its innovative design is rounded out by Triple-Side Edge Cleaning, which ensures that tight corners and baseboards are just as clean as the open floor, guaranteeing that no spot is missed.

One-Step Self-Cleaning & Hot-Air Drying

The Floorshine 880's commitment to low-effort cleaning doesn't end when the floors are spotless, it extends to the machine's maintenance itself.

Alongside the odour removing technology, after every use, the unit simplifies cleanup with a comprehensive One-Step Self-Cleaning and Hot-Air Drying system.

Instead of dismantling and hand-washing dirty components, you simply place the unit on its charging base, hit the pedal with your foot and let the machine do the heavy lifting. Automatically deep-cleaning the brush roller and internal tubing, the machine flushes out dirt and debris.

Crucially, the system then uses hot air to thoroughly dry the brush roller. This hot-air drying function not only prevents lingering moisture but also works in conjunction with the industry-exclusive odour reducing technology to stop the growth of mildew and bacteria. This final step guarantees that the Floorshine 880 is completely clean, fresh, and ready for the next use.

Is this vacuum right for me?

The Eureka Floorshine 880 is certainly a top contender for modern, multi textile households. It’s bringing truly impressive industry-leading features into a consumer-friendly package.

Busy mums will particularly like the self-cleaning function and the leading technology in odour reduction. The ability to effortlessly mop up your toddlers' spilt yoghurt in the kitchen and glide over the rug to suck up dog hair in one swoop is the ultimate cleaning hack. 

How Much Does it Cost?

The Eureka Floorshine 880 retails at A$1,099, but right now (between December 24 – December 30) you can pick up the wet/dry vacuum discounted on Amazon, 27% off down to just $799. See it here.

Grocery delivery service Instacart will pay $60 million in consumer refunds to settle a lawsuit over unlawful tactics, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shared on Thursday.

The FTC lawsuit claimed that Instacart engaged in several deceptive methods, including:

• Falsely advertising "free delivery" to customers' first order when they actually needed to pay a service fee as much as 15 percent

• Falsely advertising a "100 percent satisfaction guarantee," implying full refunds that Instacart didn't offer

• Failing to disclose the terms of Instacart+ membership enrollment, such as that consumers would be charged at the end of their free trials

SEE ALSO: You can now buy groceries in ChatGPT

"Instacart misled consumers by advertising free delivery services — and then charging consumers to have groceries delivered — and failing to disclose to consumers that signed up for a free trial that they would be automatically enrolled into its subscription program," director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, Christopher Mufarrige, stated in the FTC's press release. "The FTC is focused on monitoring online delivery services to ensure that competitors are transparently competing on price and delivery terms."

On Thursday, Instacart released its own press release concerning the FTC lawsuit. In it, the company states that although it reached this settlement, "We flatly deny any allegations of wrongdoing by the agency, and we believe the foundation of the FTC's inquiry was fundamentally flawed. And to avoid potential confusion, we want to clarify that, as of this settlement announcement, we are not aware of any other pending FTC investigations. We stand firmly behind the integrity, transparency, and value of our programs."

Instacart shared that:

• It clearly displays all fees before checkout, and is clear on what "$0 delivery" means

• The Instacart+ membership complies with regulatory standards and is one of the most "clear, straightforward, affordability-focused, ad consumer-friendly subscription programs on the market"

• It's easy to try and cancel the Instacart+ membership

In addition to the $60 million settlement, Instacart agreed to stop the practices alleged in the FTC's lawsuit, including misrepresenting delivery costs. The company must also clearly outline its subscription terms and obtain express consent for transactions of its subscriptions.

Waymo suspended service of its driverless robotaxis in San Francisco during a blackout that hit many of the city's residents on Saturday night.

Around a third of San Francisco residents were without power for hours due to a fire at a Pacific Gas and Electric substation, The San Francisco Standard reported. During the blackout, people noticed that Waymo vehicles appeared to be blocking intersections and causing traffic congestion. Waymo announced that evening that it had suspended service in the city due to the power outages, Mission Local reported.

SEE ALSO: Los Angeles woman discovers man hiding in Waymo trunk

San Franciscians shared photos and videos on X:

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

Autonomous Waymo vehicles are designed to treat non-functional signals as four-way stops, but the scale of the blackout led to instances of cars stalling for longer than usual to confirm the state of affected intersections, according to Waymo. The majority of active trips were successfully completed before the cars pulled over or returned to depots.

The company didn't share with Mashable what percentage of the self-driving fleet was impacted, or why the driverless vehicles stopped working during the blackout.

Waymo's spokesperson, Suzanne Philion, told Mashable in an emailed statement that, "We have temporarily suspended our ride-hailing services in the San Francisco Bay Area due to the widespread power outage. Our teams are working diligently and in close coordination with city officials, and we are hopeful to bring our services back online soon."

While power began to be restored around 9:10 p.m. last night, some outages remain early Sunday morning according to PG&E's map.

Around 4 p.m. PT Sunday, a Waymo spokesperson updated Mashable and stated, "We are resuming ride-hailing service in the San Francisco Bay Area. Yesterday's power outage was a widespread event that caused gridlock across San Francisco, with non-functioning traffic signals and transit disruptions. While the failure of the utility infrastructure was significant, we are committed to ensuring our technology adjusts to traffic flow during such events."

"Throughout the outage, we closely coordinated with San Francisco city officials," the spokesperson continued. "We are focused on rapidly integrating the lessons learned from this event, and are committed to earning and maintaining the trust of the communities we serve every day."

This is the latest in a recent series of Waymo incidents. Just this month, a viral video showed a driverless Waymo seemingly driving straight into traffic, a Los Angeles woman discovered a stranger in the trunk of her Waymo, and Waymo issued a software recall following reports of the cars illegally passing school buses in Austin.

Back in November, Waymo was hit with a wave of criticism in San Francisco after an autonomous car struck a beloved neighborhood cat.

UPDATE: Dec. 22, 2025, 9:26 a.m. EST This article has been updated with further information and an updated statement from Waymo.

Last night's episode of SNL was Bowen Yang's last as a cast member. He announced his departure from the show on Instagram just a day before the show, after the release of a teaser with him and host Ariana Grande, and musical guest Cher.

Yang's final sketch featured him as an employee of the Delta One Lounge, pouring eggnog for flyers for one final shift.

SEE ALSO: 'SNL' Weekend Update goes after redacted Epstein files

"I'm going to miss everything about this place. The way it smells. Celebrities would come through. Just last week, Josh O'Connor was here," he said, referring to the actor and last week's host.

He gets a call from an elderly-looking Ariana Grande who tells Yang she's proud of him for everything he's done (with eggnog, of course) over the years — even when the eggnog was rotten. He and Grande then sing a rendition of "Please Come Home for Christmas," and he's eventually joined by Grande in the lounge.

"I just feel so lucky that I ever got to work here," Yang said, definitely not referring to the Delta One Lounge. "And I just wanted to enjoy it for a little bit longer. Especially the people. I've loved every single person who works here because they've done so much for me, especially my boss."

But within the sketch, Yang wasn't referring to Lorne Michaels but Cher, who emerges as the "CEO of Eggnog at Delta." The three of them close out the song and the sketch with a teary farewell to Yang.

The last SNL of the year kept making jabs at the redacted Epstein files that dropped on Friday (followed by a disappearance of some of them by Saturday). First, an Epstein-heavy cold open with James Austin Johnson's Donald Trump, and then a Weekend Update filled with references to the disgraced financier.

Anchor Colin Jost joked that it's the time of year when we're all talking about "the man who flies through the air to visit children all over the world"...Jeffrey Epstein. Fellow anchor Michael Che then assumed that the Department of Justice couldn't release all the files on Friday because they "ran out of black ink."

SEE ALSO: Seth Meyers on Trump's primetime address: 'Stop yelling at us, grandpa!'

Weekend Update stayed on politics this week, taking aim at RFK's move to ban transgender affirming care, Marjorie Taylor Greene's engagement, and Trump's apparent health problems. They also made fun of Vanity Fair's interview with White House officials, like Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who said Trump had an "alcoholic's personality."

"Hey, don't you dare compare him to my friend, Michael Che," Jost said.

For the last SNL of the year, President Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson) got into a festive mood — by talking about Jeffrey Epstein for the umpteenth time.

The cold open wasn't the first time SNL mentioned Epstein, even in cold opens. But it was the first episode since the recent release of new files pertaining to Epstein on Friday, followed by the quick removal of some of them on Saturday.

SEE ALSO: Jimmy Kimmel slams Trump's primetime speech as '18 straight minutes of him yelling'

Referencing Trump's Wednesday night primetime address to the nation, Johnson's Trump showed up to the podium surrounded by Christmas decorations by an ornate fireplace. He discussed the recent renaming of the Kennedy Center to include his own name, and ribbed that it'll also happen to the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. He said he's putting his name on so many buildings "because we had to take it off of so many files," referencing the heavily redacted Epstein files.

"We had so many Trumps in there, we had to put them somewhere," SNL's Trump said.

The rambling cold open also mentions Trump's announcement of the Hunger Games-like Patriot Games, Venezuela, and somehow, the Indigo Girls. But there was time to celebrate the season, too. "I'm doing my own version of Nativity now," Johnson's Trump said. "Where kings from the Middle East bring gifts for me like gold and airplane and casino deal in Dubai."

TL;DR: Live stream Morocco vs. Comoros in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Africa Cup of Nations kicks off with the hosts taking on Comoros. Fans will be expecting Morocco to come away with a confident win here, but anyone who has ever watched AFCON will know that you should always expect the unexpected.

Morocco are on a winning run of 18 consecutive victories, making them firm favorites to lift the trophy on home soil. They've not won this competition since 1976, so the pressure will be on Achraf Hakimi and teammates to deliver that sought-after title.

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If you want to watch Morocco vs. Comoros in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Morocco vs. Comoros?

Morocco vs. Comoros in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This fixture takes place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

How to watch Morocco vs. Comoros for free

Morocco vs. Comoros in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is available to live stream for free on Channel 4.

Channel 4 is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock Channel 4 to stream AFCON for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Morocco vs. Comoros for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit Channel 4

5. Watch Morocco vs. Comoros for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of AFCON without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Morocco vs. Comoros (plus more 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Channel 4?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Morocco vs. Comoros in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know team names.

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.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable 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.

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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.

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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.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. 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: Competitive objects

• Green: Same state

• Blue: Same league

• Purple: Same first word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Sports projectiles

• Green: Oklahoma teams

• Blue: PWHL teams

• Purple: Full ____

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 #454 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Sports projectiles - BALL, FRISBEE, PUCK, SHUTTLECOCK

• Oklahoma teams - COWBOYS, GOLDEN HURRICANE, SOONERS, THUNDER

• PWHL teams - FROST, GOLDENEYES, SCEPTRES, VICTOIRE

• Full ____ - BACK, COUNT, HOUSE, TIME

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 the latest Connections.

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.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 21, 2025

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 21, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 21 Pips

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 21 Pips

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

Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

Number (6): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 5-6, placed horizontally.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically; 3-6, placed vertically.

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

Number (6): Everything in this green space must add up to 6. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 21 Pips

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

Not Equal: Everything in this purple space must be different. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally; 3-6, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed vertically.

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-1, placed vertically.

Number (18): Everything in this space must add up to 18. The answer is 5-6, placed horizontally; 6-4, placed vertically; 6-0, placed vertically.

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

Equal (4): Everything in this green space must be equal to 4. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically; 5-4, placed horizontally.

Equal (0): Everything in this red space must be equal to 0. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 5-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.

Number (5): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.

Equal (1): Everything in this dark blue space must be equal to 1. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 5-1, placed vertically; 1-4, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally.

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

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025:

AcrossOnly U.S. president born in the month of September

• The answer is Taft.

"I'll ___ it" ("Fine, I guess")

• The answer is Allow.

Material for a reusable diaper

• The answer is Cloth.

Land of Seoul and Pyongyang

• The answer is Korea.

One might be "Forever"

• The answer is Stamp.

DownMetal pins on a bulletin board

• The answer is Tacks

Separate into portions

• The answer is Allot.

Fauna's counterpart

• The answer is Flora.

___ pole (symbolic carving)

• The answer is Totem.

Sound from a fly swatter

• The answer is Whap.

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

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

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.

TL;DR: Live stream Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions for free on 5Action. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

With just a few weeks left of the NFL season, both the Steelers and Lions are aiming to keep themselves in playoffs contention. The Steelers are in the hunt for a playoffs spot, currently placed as the No. 4 seed, while the Lions could bump themselves into a better position with a win over Pittsburgh.

On paper the teams look evenly matched — both are currently at 8-6 — but the Lions have faced tougher competition. They're placed third in NFC North while the Steelers are at the top of AFC North with the same record.

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The Lions took a loss last week to the Rams so are looking to get back on track — and they've got a home record of 5-2, so should have a home field advantage. Pittsburgh won't roll over easily though, with eyes on a third straight win.

If you want to watch Steelers vs. Lions in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Steelers vs. Lions?

Buffalo Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions takes place at 4.25 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This fixture will be played at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

How to watch Steelers vs. Lions for free

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 5Action.

5Action is geo-restricted to the UK, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, allowing you to unblock 5Action from anywhere in the world.Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

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2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

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4. Register with 5Action

5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

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What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

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• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

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• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Buffalo Bills vs. Cleveland Browns for free on TVNZ+. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's Week 16 in the NFL and there's a big game lined up on the road for the Buffalo Bills. Currently at 10-4 and set to clash with the Cleveland Browns, the Bills are in the hunt for the playoffs as the No. 6 seed.

The Browns are at 3-11, so their season is a write-off — they're just playing for pride at this point. The stakes are high for the Bills though as they look to take the top spot from the Patriots in AFC East.

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If you want to watch Bills vs. Browns in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Bills vs. Browns?

Buffalo Bills vs. Cleveland Browns takes place at 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This fixture will be played at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio.

How to watch Bills vs. Browns for free

Buffalo Bills vs. Cleveland Browns in the NFL is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere by using a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in New Zealand, allowing you to unblock TVNZ+ from anywhere in the world.Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the NFL

4. Register with TVNZ+

5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Bills vs. Browns and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Denver Broncos for free on 7Plus. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

It's south vs. west in this Sunday Football fixture, as the Jacksonville Jaguars travel to the Denver Broncos. The teams are respective division leaders in AFC South and AFC West. With the Jaguars at 10-4 and the Broncos at 12-2 this could serve as a taster for the postseason.

The Jaguars are in solid form thanks to a five-game winning streak. But the Broncos will be seriously tough competition. They're unbeaten in 10 games and have already clinched their second consecutive playoffs appearance.

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If you want to watch Jaguars vs. Broncos in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Jaguars vs. Broncos?

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Denver Broncos takes place at 4.05 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This fixture will be played at the Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.

How to watch Jaguars vs. Broncos for free

Jaguars vs. Broncos in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia only, but anyone around the globe can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can help by hiding your real IP address (digital location) and connecting you to a secure server in Australia, allowing you to unblock 7Plus from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the NFL

4. Register with 7Plus

5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Jaguars vs. Broncos and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers for free on 7Plus. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Sunday Football features an intriguing battle in Week 16, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers clash over control of NFC South. Carolina are currently top on a technicality but the franchises are evenly matched this season with a record of 7-7 each.

This game will decide the top spot and both teams are looking to bounce back after blowing leads and taking losses in Week 15. The teams are due to play each other again in Week 18, so a win could secure a psychological advantage for that fixture too.

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If you want to watch Buccaneers vs. Panthers in the NFL for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.

When is Buccaneers vs. Panthers?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers takes place at 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 21. This fixture will be played at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

How to watch Buccaneers vs. Panthers for free

Buccaneers vs. Panthers in the NFL is available to live stream for free on 7Plus.

7Plus is geo-restricted to Australia only, but anyone around the globe can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can help by hiding your real IP address (digital location) and connecting you to a secure server in Australia, allowing you to unblock 7Plus from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with free coverage of the NFL

4. Register with 7Plus

5. Watch the NFL for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming do require a subscription, but the leading VPN services also offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. You can leverage these deals to get access to live streams of the NFL without committing any cash in the long run. This is obviously a short-term fix, but it will give you time to watch Buccaneers vs. Panthers and other NFL fixtures before you reclaim any upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for the NFL?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — a saving of 49% — which includes a bonus three months usage at no extra cost. This plan also includes a year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (also with a money-back guarantee).

Live stream the NFL for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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1minAI makes it easy to handle a variety of tasks with a user-friendly setup, so you’re not wasting time hopping between different tools. It includes everything from AI-driven writing assistance to design and photo editing options, letting you switch between projects without the constant app shuffle. Plus, 1minAI gives you 4,000,000 credits each month, plus the chance to earn up to 450,000 extra credits monthly, giving you plenty of space to test, create, and explore without worrying about extra fees.

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