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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 Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026:

AcrossFeature of ...

• The answer is Two.

... every clue

• The answer is Words.

Kindle download

• The answer is Ebook.

Attempt again

• The answer is Retry.

Peering pair?

• The answer is Eyes.

DownActor Maguire

• The answer is Tobey.

Jotted (down)

• The answer is Wrote.

Foul smells

• The answer is Odors.

Had been

• The answer is Were.

Rainbow's place

• The answer is Sky.

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 yesterday's Mini Crossword.

Going camping? With an EV? We've got the perfect trailer for you. The only problem? It's still a prototype.

Honda has just announced the Honda Base Station Prototype, a solar-powered camping trailer that ticks all the boxes for electric vehicle owners.

SEE ALSO: CES 2025: Hands-on with Sony-Honda's AFEELA 1 Signature

Details about the Base Station are pretty scarce. The trailer, developed by engineers and designers at Honda's U.S. R&D centers in California and Ohio, is modular, smart, with an "open, spacious, airy and bright interior." It can sleep a family of four with a foldable couch and an (optional) kids' bunk bed. And if you raise the roof, you get seven feet of stand-up space.

Raise the roof, and you get seven feet of stand-up space. Lower it down, and you're protected from the elements. Credit: Honda

The modular part comes in the form of various accessories, such as an air conditioner, an external shower, or an external kitchen. It's all powered through a lithium battery, inverter, and integrated solar powers and, if need be, you can hook it up to an external generator.

Honda didn't release any actual figures behind all this, such as battery capacity, or any of the ways that make the trailer "smart."

Honda, of course, has it pictured together with its Honda 0 SUV, which is currently also in prototype stage. The two might actually launch together, even though Honda didn't share many details about a launch date for the Base Station (the Honda 0 SUV is scheduled to launch in 2026).

As for the price, Honda said it would make it "competitively priced in the lightweight travel trailer segment."

Featured Video For You Motorola is entering the wearable AI game

Valentine's Day is coming up fast, and if you're trying to find something special to give to someone this year, Lego is always a great pick. Sure, flowers and chocolates are a solid choice, but why not give Lego flowers that don't require any watering or care? Or why not give a gift that you can create together? With Lego, there's plenty of options to explore.

Whether you're searching for a bigger set to build together or something small and sweet, Lego has something perfect for Valentine's Day this year. Sets like the Bouquet of Pink Roses, the Paris – City of Love, and much more should be carefully considered if you know someone with a passion for Lego. There really is something for everyone.

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Not sure which Lego set is the best match for your special someone? Check out some of our favorite Lego sets for Valentine's Day 2026.

Bouquet of Pink Roses (10374) Credit: Lego

Lego's flower bouquet sets are great gifts to give all year round. They don't require any watering or maintenance, and most importantly, they always look nice on display! So rather than splashing out on a big bouquet of roses this year, why not pick up the delightful Bouquet of Pink Roses instead? This set comes with 789 pieces that create a lovely arrangement of 12 pink roses — four in full bloom, four blossoming, and four rosebuds — with four sprigs of baby’s breath mixed in.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Bouquet of Pink Roses (10374) $59.99 at Lego
  Shop Now Love Letters (40867) Credit: Lego

The Lego Love Letters set is a sweet display, featuring pink and red letters with flower accessories all around and blue bases. It can even be displayed in two different ways: the first is the letters "LOVE" with a heart-shaped 'V'. In the other position, the letters say “I heart U” with the heart in the middle. It's a cute set that only comes with 345 pieces.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Love Letters (40867) $19.99 at Lego
  Shop Now Heart Ornament (40638) Credit: Lego

If you're not looking for anything too complicated to build, the Lego Heart Ornament is a cute display set that can be hung up around your home as part of your Valentine's Day decorations. It comes with just 254 pieces that come together to create a heart shape made up of smaller hearts and little flowers. It also comes with a hanger for displaying.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Heart Ornament (40638) $12.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now Cute Hamster with a Flower (31376) Credit: Lego

This Lego set is easily the cutest thing on this list. Just look at that little guy! The Cute Hamster with a Flower set is an adorable gift to give if you're not looking to splash out on anything too fancy. And with just 166 pieces, it won't take too long to assemble. It's also part of the Creator 3-in-1 line, so it can also be made into a hedgehog with a flower or a posable eagle with an egg in its nest.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Cute Hamster with a Flower (31376) $9.99 at Lego
  Shop Now Happy Plants (10349) Credit: Lego

This is one of our favorite Lego sets. The Lego Happy Plants set can put a smile on anyone's face, which certainly makes them a nice pick for Valentine's Day. It comes with 217 pieces that create two very smiley plant pots that hold a baby dracaena plant and a baby pilea plant. They brighten up a room with their colorful builds and adorable faces.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Happy Plants (10349) $22.99 at Lego
  Shop Now Paris – City of Love (21064) Credit: Lego

If you're on the hunt for a Lego set that's a bit more of a challenge — and one you could work on together — the Paris – City of Love set is an exciting build to piece together. It's recommended for adults and comes with 958 pieces that create a display piece that features the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre against a starry sky with a white frame. Once completed, it can be either hung up or placed on a shelf.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Paris – City of Love (21064) $79.99 at Lego
  Shop Now Tulip Bouquet (11501) Credit: Lego

Don't want to roll with traditional roses for Valentine's Day this year? Have a look at Lego's Tulip Bouquet instead. This colorful arrangement includes 576 pieces and features a collection of five different tulips in various colors and stages of bloom, alongside some green leaves and adjustable stems for when you put them on display. They're a nice and simple way to brighten up your home ahead of spring.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Tulip Bouquet (11501) $59.99 at Lego
  Shop Now

TL;DR: Simplify your PDF process with this lifetime license to PDF Converter and Editor, on sale now for only $29.99 (reg. $99.99).

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It’s pretty surprising how often we encounter PDFs in daily life. Whether we need to fill out a form or submit a signature, PDFs pop up all the time. If you need to edit, convert, or create one, you’ll want to have PDF Converter and Editor in your corner. This handy app makes the file format easy to work with every time.

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TL;DR: Lifetime access to 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan is now $74.97 through Jan. 31, giving you an all-in-one AI platform for writing, design, research, and coding without ongoing subscription fees.

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At this point, you’ve probably outsourced a solid chunk of your thinking to AI. From notes and emails to blog ideas, images, and research, there’s likely a chatbot somewhere handling at least part of it. If you’re going to rely on AI anyway, it helps when everything actually lives in one place. 1min.AI pulls multiple AI models and tools together for writing, design, research, audio, video, and coding, and the Advanced Business lifetime plan is currently available for over 80% off (reg. $540).

Subscription fatigue is already real with streaming and news. AI doesn’t need to become another stack of monthly charges. With 1min.AI, you can chat with multiple assistants depending on the task at hand. You can tap OpenAI models for conversation and content, use Claude for coding help, generate images through Google’s Gemini, and more — all inside one workspace.

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Because 1min.AI consolidates access to multiple AI systems, it works like a single assistant with superpowers. It can draft and edit full articles, summarize text, check grammar, and brainstorm ideas. It also generates and edits images, supports chat-to-image creation, and includes audio tools for cleaning up, enhancing, or converting voice content. If you work with video, you can edit, enhance, caption, and produce clips at professional quality without juggling separate apps.

The Advanced Business plan lets you do everything at scale. You receive 4 million credits every month to use however you want, and you can share them with a team of up to 20 members. That’s enough for approximately 1.1 million words of generated content, nearly 6,000 keyword research queries, over 1,000 generated images, plus transcription, chat, code, and more.

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Until Jan. 31, you can grab the Advanced Business lifetime plan to 1min.AI for just $74.97 (reg. $540).

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TL;DR: Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks in the NBA for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The New York Knicks continue to hunt down the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. They're not far behind the impressive Pistons, so a win against the Warriors would mean a lot. Of course, securing that win over the experienced Warriors is easier said than done.

If you want to watch Warriors vs. Knicks in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Warriors vs. Knicks?

Warriors vs. Knicks in the NBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Jan. 15. This game takes place at the Chase Center.

How to watch Warriors vs. Knicks for free

Warriors vs. Knicks in the NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the U.S. and UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S. or UK, meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S. or UK

5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also 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).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Oklahoma City Thunder no longer look like an unstoppable force. They still look great, but they can bleed. And that's good news for the NBA.

Next, the defending champions take on the Houston Rockets. The Rockets have the talent to beat any team on their best day, but they've been steadily sliding down the standings lately. Can they produce a huge performance and beat the Thunder? You can find out without spending anything.

If you want to watch Rockets vs. Thunder in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Rockets vs. Thunder?

Rockets vs. Thunder in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 15. This game takes place at the Toyota Center.

How to watch Rockets vs. Thunder for free

Rockets vs. Thunder in the NBA is available to live stream for free with a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime.

This free live stream is geo-restricted to the U.S. and UK, but anyone can secure access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S. or UK, meaning you can access free live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NBA for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime (if you're not already a member)

2. Subscribe to a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

4. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S. or UK

5. Watch the NBA from anywhere in the world on Prime Video

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NBA live streams without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games from the NBA before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing free live streams on platforms like Prime Video, 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also 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).

Live stream the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

SEE ALSO: The 25 best movies of 2025, and where to stream them 23. The Hillside Strangler

In 1977, a string of stranglings in Los Angeles had women terrified and police stumped. Dubbed the Hillside Strangler, this mysterious serial killer abducted women from ages 12 to 28, raped and murdered them, before leaving their bodies to be discovered by horrified passersby. The LAPD launched a dogged manhunt that eventually led to not one but two killers: cousins Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono.

The resulting criminal trials would set a new record for the longest in U.S. history, involving 400 witnesses, 1,800 exhibits, and over 50,000 pages of testimony, according to A&E. Now, MGM+'s four-part documentary The Hillside Strangler takes true crime fans back to this notorious case with an unexpected perspective. Not only do we hear from detective Frank Salerno, who played a prominent role in the investigation, but Bianchi himself, who is still alive and in prison, shares his story on the murders that scarred Los Angeles. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: The Hillside Strangler debuts on Jan. 18 at 9:00 PM ET/PT on MGM+.

22. Riot Women

Punk's not dead in BBC and BritBox's Riot Women, from Happy Valley writer Sally Wainwright, streaming this week in the U.S. The six-part series sees five women — Kitty Eckersley (Rosalie Craig), Jess Burchill (Lorraine Ashbourne), Beth Thornton (Joanna Scanlan), Yvonne Vaux (Amelia Bullmore), Holly Gaskell (Tamsin Greig) — forming a punk rock band in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. Between their jobs, dating lives, and families, they enter a local talent competition, and find it's the outlet they've been craving. But there are secrets ready to come out... — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Rosalie Craig, Lorraine Ashbourne, Joanna Scanlan, Tamsin Greig, and Amelia Bullmore

How to watch: Riot Women is now streaming on Britbox.

21. The Curious Case of..., Season 2

This true crime series is addictive, but also the kind that can leave you feeling ill. From the creators of the troubling docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, season one of this sort-of spinoff had episodes on the legal battles of Jackass alum Bam Margera, YouTuber turned convicted child abuser Jodi Hildebrandt, and a pair of morticians who were caught giving clients fake remains. So, what could possibly be planned for Season 2 of this Investigation Discovery series?

Per ID: "In the season 2 premiere episode, 'Death by Detox?' will unpack Dr. Robert O. Young, a former college tennis star and a descendant of Brigham Young, who lands on the national best seller list for his ph Miracle book series, which pushes an alkaline diet, the tentpole of which is an avocado-based green smoothie, that grows in popularity. Suddenly, Young's business is booming — he's selling books like hot cakes, he creates his own holistic supplements, and his roster of wealthy, high-profile clients grows. But despite his success and popularity, Young is no Doctor and his 'miracle' cure has left broken hearts and devastated families in his wake."

Do you dare watch? — K.P.

How to watch: The Curious Case of... Season 2 debuted on January 12 at 10 p.m. ET and is now streaming on HBO MAX.

20. What Drives You with John Cena, Season 2

John Cena isn't just a former pro-wrestler turned movie star. He's also a car enthusiast who strives to inspire. So naturally, he's combined those passions in the cleverly titled What Drives You.

SEE ALSO: What drives John Cena? The 'What Drives You' host speaks out

The premise of this series is pretty straightforward. Cena rolls up to the homes or studios of famous folks who love cars. While they talk about these luxury rides, Cena also offers soft-pitch interviews that explore his subject's life, creative passions, and drive. Season one featured Blink 182-drummer Travis Barker, American rapper Jelly Roll, pro wrestler Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, and YouTuber turned human punching bag, Logan Paul. Season two teases new stars and cars, which you can see in the trailer above. — K.P.

Starring: John Cena, Mookie Betts, Kane Brown, Charlotte Flair, and Saweetie

How to watch: What Drives You with John Cena Season 2 debuts on Roku on Jan. 16.

19. Hijack, Season 2

Remember when Idris Elba singlehandedly saved a flight from disaster in Apple TV's thrilling Hijack? Well, he's back at it again, except this time, he's swapped planes for trains. (What's next, automobiles?) Hijack Season 2 sees Elba return as corporate negotiator Sam Nelson, who's embroiled in a hostage crisis on a Berlin underground train. How will he wrangle his way out of this one? And more importantly, will Sam ever have a normal commute?* — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Idris Elba, Christine Adams, Max Beesley, Archie Panjabi, Christian Näthe, Clare-Hope Ashitey, Lisa Vicari, Toby Jones, Karima McAdams, and Christiane Paul

How to watch: Hijack Season 2 debuted on Apple TV on Jan. 14.

18. The Boyfriend, Season 2

Japan's first same-sex reality dating show premiered in 2024, and now The Boyfriend is back for Season 2. Though the setting has changed from a summer house and coffee truck in Tateyama to a winter lodge in Hokkaido, the framework is the same: Ten gay men aged 20 to 40 live together for two months to potentially find a partner. Who could find love this season? — S.C.

How to watch: The Boyfriend Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

17. Black Phone 2

With The Black Phone, director Scott Derrickson and screenwriter C. Robert Cargill brought Joe Hill's scary short story to vivid life with a stranger-danger tale featuring an instantly iconic killer. Played by Ethan Hawke, the Grabber snatched boys from the quiet streets of a cozy small town, keeping them in a dark, dank, and seemingly inescapable basement, until he deigned to kill them — while he wore a creepy white mask. But with the help of his sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) and a squad of ghosts of murdered boys, young Finney (Mason Thames) managed to survive. However, even the death of the Grabber can't keep him away.

In Black Phone 2, Finn and Gwen are now teenagers, and she is plagued by disturbing visions of dead boys at a far-off winter camp. Together, they will travel to Alpine Lake to unlock the mysteries behind these calls from beyond the grave. And hey, the plot is convoluted and determinedly grim. But if you like the Grabber, then him coming back in some supernatural sinister form should be lure enough. — K.P.

Starring: Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, Demián Bichir, and Ethan Hawke

How to watch: Black Phone 2 begins streaming on Peacock on Jan. 16.

16. The Running Man

So you walked, didn't run, to see The Running Man in cinemas? Well, now you can watch it at home, with Edgar Wright's Stephen King adaptation getting a digital release this week. Think Glen Powell running for his life from a keen-eyed group of hunters in a dystopian future where such a situation is primetime entertainment. Think Colman Domingo dropping lines like "my bouche was not amused" as the high-maintenance host of the titular program. Think a storyline way closer to King's 1982 paperback than the Arnold Schwarzenegger film of the '80s.

Unfortunately, don't think this will be the best movie you watch this week. As Mashable entertainment editor Kristy Puchko writes in her review, "In the end, The Running Man is a sloppy collage of violence, action, and cheap jokes that is far more style than substance." Unexpectedly, however, the film has a connection to...Pennywise? — S.C.

Starring: Glen Powell, Katy O'Brian, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Sean Hayes, Colman Domingo, and Josh Brolin

How to watch: The Running Man is now playing on Paramount+.

15. The Rip

Longtime best buddies and Good Will Hunting golden boys Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite onscreen for writer/director Joe Carnahan's cop thriller The Rip.

Damon and Affleck star as a a pair of Tactical Narcotics Team members in Miami who get called in to check out a stash house tip on a Friday night. While their team is accustomed to confiscating hundreds of thousands of dollars, uncovering a cache of $20 million could make even a good cop go bad. Will this team decide to steal "the rip" from an unknown cartel? Will that temptation tear them apart?

While the premise and the cast — which includes Golden Globe winner Teyana Taylor — is promising, the movie itself is a lot of macho posturing and uninspired action leading to an ending that's pretty unsatisfying! — K.P.

Starring: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Scott Adkins, and Kyle Chandler

How to watch: The Rip debuts on Netflix on Jan. 16.

14. Rebuilding

2025 was the year of Josh O'Connor. Audiences could catch him as a priest in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, an art thief in The Mastermind, and a music student in The History of Sound. Now, you can also catch him in Western mode in 2025's Rebuilding, coming to digital this week. O'Connor stars as Thomas "Dusty" Fraser Jr., a cowboy who loses his ranch to devastating wildfires. The loss means he has to move to a FEMA camp, where he reconnects with his daughter and ex-wife and gains a new community. — B.E.

Starring: Josh O'Connor, Lily LaTorre, Meghann Fahy, Kali Reis, and Amy Madigan

How to watch: Rebuilding is available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

13. Rental Family

Writer/director Hikari thrilled Netflix subscribers in 2023 with the darkly comic limited series Beef. In her follow-up, she offers a radical shift in tone and message with Rental Family, a feel-good drama about finding one's home.

Brendan Fraser stars as American actor Phillip Vanderploeg, who moved to Japan for work but has been struggling for years to get gigs. So, when an unconventional acting job comes along, he reluctantly takes the role(s). Rental Family is a curious company, where its employees fill in for their clients as whatever people they need: a friend, a husband, a mistress, or even a dad. While Phillip is uncomfortable deceiving people, like the little girl whose single mom has hired him to play the father the child has never met, he finds joy and purpose in becoming a facet in these lives, however unusual the path there. But as Phillip grows too comfortable in certain roles, he risks not only his job but also the well-being of those who've come to love him. While Rental Family veers into sentimental, and even simplistically preachy territory, it is a charming story of personal growth and enduring love. — K.P.

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Takehiro Hira, Mari Yamamoto, Shannon Mahina Gorman, and Akira Emoto

How to watch: Rental Family is now available for rental or purchase on Apple TV.

12. Phineas and Ferb

There's 104 more days of summer vacation for stepbrothers Phineas (voiced by Vincent Martella) and Ferb (voiced by David Errigo Jr.) to fill with fanciful inventions in this revival of the beloved animated series. While it's been 10 years since Phineas and Ferb's last episode aired, and five years since the last movie spin-off, the revival will make you feel like no time has passed at all. Phineas and Ferb are still crafting unforgettable summer adventures, Candace (voiced by Ashley Tisdale) is still trying to bust them, and Dr. Doofenshmirtz (voiced by Dan Povenmire) and Perry the Platypus (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) are still locked in an epic battle of good and evil.

SEE ALSO: 'Phineas and Ferb' creators Dan Povenmire and Jeff 'Swampy' Marsh reveal the ultimatum that made the show fans love

The result is a sweet blast of nostalgia for viewers who grew up watching Phineas and Ferb, and a delightful treat for younger, newer viewers. Plus, new episodes mean new songs — which ones will join the likes of "Busted," "Gitchee Gitchee Goo," and "S.I.M.P. (Squirrels in My Pants)" as tried-and-true Phineas and Ferb bangers?* — B.E.

Starring: Vincent Martella, David Errigo Jr., Ashley Tisdale, Caroline Rhea, Dee Bradley Baker, Alyson Stoner, Dan Povenmire, and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh

How to watch: New episodes of Phineas and Ferb debut on Disney+ on Jan. 17.

11. The Upshaws, Part 7: Final Season

After four seasons, The Upshaws is saying farewell, with creators, stars, and executive producers Regina Hicks and Wanda Sykes delivering a final season of the family sitcom this week. With 12 episodes, Part 7 will give a send off to the Upshaws from Indianapolis, but not before a last run of antics from Bennie (Mike Epps), Regina (Kim Fields), and their children — and of course, Regina's sister Lucretia (Sykes). — S.C.

Starring: Mike Epps, Wanda Sykes, Kim Fields, Diamond Lyons, Khali Spraggins, Journey Christine, and Jermelle Simon

How to watch: The Upshaws Part 7: Final Season debuts on Netflix on Jan. 15.

10. Agatha Christie's Seven Dials

Broadchurch and Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall adapts and directs this three-part mini-series, based on Agatha Christie's detective novel The Seven Dials of Mystery.

Mia McKenna-Bruce stars as Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent, whose quiet life in 1925 England is rocked when her love interest dies unexpectedly in her family's home. Determined to uncover the truth — no matter how terrible — she begins an investigation. And Sherlock fans will likely thrill to see that aiding her is one Superintendent Battle, played by Martin Freeman. — K.P.

Starring: Mia McKenna-Bruce, Helena Bonham Carter, Martin Freeman, Edward Bluemel, Nyasha Hatendi, Corey Mylchreest, Guy Siner, and Alex Macqueen

How to watch: Agatha Christie's Seven Dials debuts on Netflix on Jan. 15.

9. Can This Love Be Translated?

Kim Seon-ho (Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha) and Go Youn-jung (Alchemy of Souls) star in Netflix's new Korean rom-com. Written by the Hong sisters and directed by Yoo Young-eun, Can This Love Be Translated? follows interpreter Joo Ho-jin (Kim) and famous actor Cha Mu-hee (Go), who pair up while filming a travel reality dating show called Romantic Trip. Love languages might be fake according to science, but could this K-drama prove otherwise? — S.C.

Starring: Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung, Sota Fukushi, Choi Woo-sung, and Lee Yi-dam

How to watch: Can This Love Be Translated? debuts on Netflix on Jan. 16.

8. Primal, Season 3

Master animator Genndy Tartakovsky's Emmy–winning series Primal is back, with a big shakeup. The show's main Neanderthal, Spear (voiced by Aaron LaPlante), died at the end of Season 2. In Season 3, though, he's back — as a zombie. The massive creative swing keeps this prehistoric epic fresh, offering up new opportunities for self-discovery, gore, and some surprisingly funny fight scenes. (Sometimes, your rotting corpse just falls apart mid-battle, you know?) — B.E.

Starring: Aaron LaPlante

How to watch: Primal Season 3 is now on HBO Max, with new episodes streaming every Monday.

7. One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things Season 5

Whether you loved or hated the ending of Stranger Things Season 5, you should check out One Last Adventure, a behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of the fifth and final season. Director Martina Radwan spent a year with the Stranger Things writers' room and production team, and the result is an intimate peek into the creative process behind one of TV's biggest hits.

One Last Adventure has already stirred up its fair share of controversy within the Stranger Things fandom. Season 5's detractors have moved from theorizing that there's a secret ninth episode to believing the Duffer Brothers used ChatGPT to write Season 5, due to a shot of a blurry tab icon that might be the ChatGPT logo. However, Radwan confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that she didn't see any unethical use of generative AI in the writers' room. — B.E.

Starring: The Duffer Brothers

How to watch: One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things Season 5 is now streaming on Netflix.

6. Ponies

Craving a bit of intrigue? Then, you might appreciate Peacock's new espionage thriller series, Ponies, created by Susanna Fogel and David Iserson.

Set in 1977, Moscow, the show focuses on undercover CIA, or more specifically the wives of two slain agents who are determined to uncover the truth of their husbands' demises. Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson star as new widows Bea and Twila, who are both officially "PONIs" — persons of no interest — as far as the KGB is concerned. So, who better to probe the mysteries of Moscow to unearth what even their agent husbands could not? Imagine Laverne & Shirley colliding with a Mission: Impossible plotline, and you'll have some sense of what's in store. — K.P.

Starring: Emilia Clarke, Haley Lu Richardson, Adrian Lester, Artjom Gilz, Nicholas Podany, Petro Ninovskyi, and Vic Michaelis

How to watch: Ponies debuts on Peacock on Jan. 15.

5. Dust Bunny

After giving audiences such sensational (and sensationally twisted) shows as Dead Like Me, Pushing Daisies, and Hannibal, Bryan Fuller makes his feature directorial debut with a monster movie that feels like Amélie meets Léon: The Professional.

The story centers on a young girl (Sophie Sloan), plagued by the monster (a massive dust bunny) under her bed. So, naturally, she looks for a hitman to take care of the creature. Lucky for her, there's one living in her building. And he's played by Hannibal's Mads Mikkelsen. The result is a monster movie that is whimsical, gnarly, thrilling, and fun.

In my review, I wrote, "Dust Bunny is exactly the kind of movie fans should expect from Fuller, but it's also wildly surprising. As soon as it ended, I wanted to watch it again — not just for the fun of it, but to assure myself it was real and not some strange dream sparked from too much sour candy."* — K.P.

Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Sophie Sloan, Sheila Atim, David Dastmalchian, and Sigourney Weaver

How to watch: Dust Bunny is now available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

4. Song Sung Blue

"Sometimes you just need a feel-good movie and a good tearjerker, and writer/director Craig Brewer delivers both with Song Sung Blue," I wrote in my review.

Based on the incredible true story of Lightning and Thunder, a Neil Diamond cover band out of Milwaukee, Song Sung Blue tells a story of love, music, and how both can help us overcome incredible tragedy. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson star as the married musical couple at the film's center. Together they craft electric chemistry, rousing song numbers, and a love story that hits with the force of a runaway car.

As I concluded in my review, "All this makes for a feel-good movie that can be jarringly intense, because the bad times can come out of nowhere. (C'est la vie!) But like a great Neil Diamond song, Song Sung Blue will find its way into your heart, where it will linger."* — K.P.

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Hudson, Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, Mustafa Shakir, Fisher Stevens, and Jim Belushi

How to watch: Song Sung Blue is now available for rental or purchase on Prime Video.

3. Twinless

One of the best movies you might have overlooked in 2025, Twinless is a dark comedy written and directed by James Sweeney, who also co-stars. But don't expect a vanity project.

Sweeney stars as Dennis, a young gay man in Portland, Oregon, who struggles to make lasting connections. That is, until he meets Roman (Dylan O'Brien) in a support group for people grieving the loss of a twin. At a glance, these two seem like total opposites. But they share something in common, though it's not what Roman — or the audience — might assume. What begins as a comedy with sharp observational humor soon plunges into exciting psychological terrain. O'Brien has been cheered by critics for his spectacular performance, while in my review, I praised Sweeney for his writing and direction, writing, "Twinless is a jewel of queer cinema, rough, radiant, and beguiling. Seek it out. Then watch it again." — K.P.

Starring: Dylan O'Brien, James Sweeney, Aisling Franciosi, Chris Perfetti, François Arnaud, Tasha Smith, Lauren Graham, Susan Park, Cree, and Katie Findlay

How to watch: Twinless begins streaming on Hulu on Jan. 16.

2. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

Ever wish that Star Trek got a bit more high school? Then you'll squee over Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Teen drama meets sci-fi thrills with this new series from Gaia Violo, which focuses on the school where cadets learn the ways of Starfleet, meaning science, diplomacy, and bravery — for starters.

If that genre mash-up alone isn't enough to get you giddy, then how about this: Holly Hunter stars as Captain Nahla Ake, a tough-as-nails commander with a sharp mind, a compassionate heart, and a breezy attitude that already has me swooning. Then, along with a terrific ensemble cast, rich with rising stars, THE Paul Giamatti stars as Nus Braka, a space pirate who is this first season's Big Bad. Could this be as good as it sounds? I can assure you, it's better. — K.P.

Starring: Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, Zoë Steiner, Robert Picardo, Tig Notaro, and Oded Fehr

How to watch: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres on Paramount+ on Jan. 15, with its first two episodes available at once. New episodes will air weekly.

Best of Streaming this week:
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Westeros is back on TV in HBO's latest Game of Thrones spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. You'll find no large-scale battles or dragons here, though. Instead, this series, which takes place about a century before Game of Thrones, focuses on the unlikely friendship between hedge knight Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his new squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). This unusual pair is off to a tournament at Ashford Meadow, where jousting, sword fights, and displays of chivalry await.

SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' review: 'Game of Thrones' prequel is a surprising comfort watch

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' smaller scale works wonders, offering up a lighter, funnier take on Westeros. Claffey and Ansell's charming chemistry only elevates this take further, and the result is a surprisingly sweet series bursting with warmth. As I wrote in my review, "It's a welcome switch-up in HBO's Game of Thrones lineup, and proof that the world of Westeros can be more than just a brutal cage match between warring families. More than that, though, it's a balm for the soul." — B.E.

Starring: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Finn Bennett, Bertie Carvel, Tanzyn Crawford, Daniel Ings, and Sam Spruell

How to watch: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres on HBO and HBO Max at 10 p.m. ET on Jan. 18.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

With multiple tiers and price hikes, it can sometimes be tough to remember just how much you're paying for Paramount+, and what exactly you're getting for your money.

Luckily, you've come to the right place. Below, we've laid out how much Paramount+ costs per month, as well as what each tier will get you, and how these prices stack up against other streaming services.

SEE ALSO: How much does Netflix cost per month? How much does Paramount+'s ad-supported tier cost?

Currently, Paramount+ has two tiers: one that comes with ads, and one that doesn't. The ad tier is called Paramount+ Essential, and it costs $8.99 per month, or $89.99 per year. That means that if you choose to go with the annual plan, you're paying closer to $7.50 per month, saving you $17.89 per year.

With Paramount+ Essential, you get access to over 40,000 episodes and movies, along with select Showtime series. You can also stream on three devices at once, watch NFL games on CBS, and catch the UEFA Champions League.

How much does Paramount+'s ad-free tier cost?

Paramount+ Premium costs $13.99 per month, or $139.99 per year. That means that if you go with the annual plan, you'll be paying closer to $11.70 per month, saving $27.89 per year.

Paramount+ Premium gives you everything in the Paramount+ Essential tier, without ads (apart from during live TV). You gain access to all of Showtime, as well as the ability to stream CBS live. You're also able to watch titles in 4K, UHD, Dolby Vision, or HDR10, depending on your internet capabilities, as well as download movies and TV shows.

SEE ALSO: How much does HBO Max cost per month? How do Paramount+'s prices stack up against other streaming services?

With all these costs in mind, how do Paramount+'s prices compare to those of other major streaming services? Let's break it down.

At $8.99 per month, Paramount+'s ad-supported tier is among the cheaper of the streaming services. It's more expensive than the ad-supported plans of Peacock and Netflix, which come out to $7.99 per month. However, it costs the same as a Prime Video subscription by itself, without an Amazon Prime membership. Meanwhile, HBO Max's ad-supported tier costs $10.99 per month, while both Hulu and Disney+'s ad-supported tiers' prices cost $11.99 per month, making them the most expensive of the major streamers.

Paramount+ Premium is also one of the cheaper options for ad-free streaming services. Peacock's comes in at $10.99 per month, while Prime Video's is $11.98. Netflix's ad-free tier costs $17.99, while HBO Max's costs $18.49. Once again, Disney+ and Hulu are the most expensive, each coming in at $18.99 per month.

UPDATE: Jan. 15, 2026, 5:00 a.m. EST This article has been updated to reflect Paramount+'s new prices.

Whether you're looking for a kid-friendly tablet or a compact laptop replacement, there are plenty of excellent options out there. If you're not exactly sure which tablet you should buy, we've got one simple question to help narrow down your search: Are you an Apple person? We tested the entire iPad lineup, and though iPads are our preferred tablets in 2026, we also love some of the best tablets from Samsung, Lenovo, and Microsoft. So, whatever your preferences, we've got a tablet to recommend.

Recent additions to this guide:

• Oct. 28, 2025: We've added the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 tablet to this guide; it's an excellent Android gaming tablet, but is suitable for anyone in the market for an Android tablet.

• Nov. 5, 2025: After spending several weeks with the Samsung Galaxy S11 Ultra, we were impressed by its performance. We've added it to this guide as the best Android tablet for professionals, as its oversized screen is overkill for the average tablet user.

Updated on Jan. 14 at 11:35 p.m. ET : Verizon states that the outage has now been resolved, though hasn't yet shared any details on what caused it. If you're still having difficulty connecting to the network, Verizon recommends restarting your device. The company also confirmed again that it will provide account credits to impacted customers.

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Updated on Jan. 14 at 9:08 p.m. ET: Verizon has issued an apology to users and pledged to provide account credits to affected customers. However, the company has not yet explained the cause of the outage.

In a statement posted to X, the company wrote:

"Today, we let many of our customers down and for that, we are truly sorry.

"They expect more from us. We are working non-stop and making progress. Our teams will continue to work through the night until service is restored for all impacted customers.

"We will make this right — for any customer affected, we will provide account credits and share updates soon."

Updated on Jan. 14 at 4:35 p.m. ET: In response to a frustrated customer on X, a Verizon Support account seemed to suggest that customers could be entitled to a discount on their bills due to the outage.

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The Verizon Support account wrote in a reply to the user: "You are very welcome, once service is restored we can review and adjust based on how long the outage occurs. *Sydney."

We contacted Verizon to ask if affected customers could be eligible for a discount or compensation, and we'll update this story if we receive a response.

Updated on Jan. 14 at 3:05 p.m. ET: Verizon provided Mashable with an additional statement about the ongoing outage, although the company did not release any information on the cause of the problem.

"Verizon engineering teams are continuing to address today's service interruptions. Our teams remain fully deployed and are focused on the issue. We understand the impact this has on your day and remain committed to resolving this as quickly as possible."

Starting around noon on Wednesday, many Verizon customers discovered that their phones had gone into SOS mode. Now, Verizon has acknowledged the ongoing outage.

In a statement to Mashable, a Verizon representative said, "We are aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Our engineers are engaged and are working to identify and solve the issue quickly. We understand how important reliable connectivity is and apologize for the inconvenience."

SEE ALSO: Verizon outage: Why your phone says SOS, what we know so far

The Verizon Support account on X also shared the same message on Wednesday afternoon, as confused customers took to social media seeking answers.

So far, Verizon has not indicated the cause of the problem or the timeline of a potential fix.

The platform Downdetector categorized the outage as "Very High," describing it as "a catastrophic break in standard cellular connectivity." (Disclosure: Mashable and Downdetector are both owned by Ziff Davis.)

"The impact is rated as Very High, with users primarily reporting Mobile Phone failure (59%) and a total loss of signal (34%). A recurring theme in user feedback is devices defaulting to "SOS mode," Downdetector said in a statement to Mashable.

When in SOS mode, customers are not able to make or receive phone calls or texts, and data services are also unavailable. However, customers should still be able to make emergency 911 calls via satellite, as per usual.

While Downdetector did receive a spike in user error reports for T-Mobile and AT&T, at this time, Verizon seems to be the only major mobile carrier suffering an outage. In a statement on X, T-Mobile said that its network was functioning normally at this time.

This is a developing story...

Verizon has announced that its mobile network is finally back up and running again, after an outage prevented users from making phone calls for over 10 hours on Wednesday. You should now be able to resuming using your phone as usual, though you may have to restart it first.

"The outage has been resolved," Verizon posted to X at 10:20 p.m. ET / 7:20 p.m. PT. "If customers are still having an issue, we encourage them to restart their devices to reconnect to the network. For those affected, we will provide account credits. Details will be shared directly with customers. We sincerely apologize for the disruption."

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The Verizon outage began earlier on Wednesday at around 11:55 a.m. ET / 8:55 a.m. PT, when crowdsourced outage tracker Downdetector began receiving thousands of reports from customers having trouble connecting. (Disclosure: Downdetector and Mashable are both owned by parent company Ziff Davis.)

The outage stuck Verizon customers' devices in SOS mode, preventing them from making phone calls or using their mobile data. Unfortunately, while calling 911 should have worked regardless, some Verizon users reported that they were unable to contact emergency services during the outage, while government officials advised people to use other networks if they needed help.

Verizon has apologised for the temporary lack of service, and promised to assign credits to impacted users' accounts in order to compensate them. However, no explanation has yet been given regarding what caused the Verizon outage. It's likely that further information will be released in the coming days. For now, upset customers are taking to social media to demand answers, with some threatening to switch carriers.

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You’ve got a high-performing team member ready for the next step, but there’s no clear move available: no title change, no open seat at the top. Still, you can’t afford to let them stagnate. Here’s how to keep them engaged and growing. Be upfront. Don’t dodge the truth. Let them know there’s no promotion in […]

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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

Malnourished.

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

UNFED

Hurdle Word 2 hint

To produce.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for January 15, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SPAWN

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A current switch.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 15 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 15, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

DIODE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Clouded.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

FOGGY

Final Hurdle hint

A solid red block.

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

BRICK

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

It's day 26 of the lunar cycle, so there's not much to see on the Moon's surface tonight. If you have viewing gear, however, you may still catch a glimpse. Keep reading to see what's happening with tonight's Moon.

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Thursday, Jan. 15, the Moon phase is Waning Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 10% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

Tonight, the only thing to spot on the Moon's surface is the Grimaldi Basin. To be able to see it, you'll need either binoculars or a telescope.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on Feb. 1. The last full moon was on Jan. 3.

What are Moon phases?

Moon phases are what make up the lunar cycle, a phase that NASA tells us takes about 29.5 days. This is the time that the Moon takes to complete a full orbit. As it moves around Earth, it goes through a series of eight distinct phases. The same side of the Moon always faces our planet, but the sunlight hitting it changes depending on its position in orbit. This is why the Moon can sometimes appear full, partially lit, or completely dark. The eight phases that make up the lunar cycle are:

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.

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok has announced a change in policy that purports to offer more protections against sexualized deepfakes, at least on X. The new policy comes as California launches an investigation into the issue, while the UK government is threatening a ban.

"We have implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis,” read a statement published on the X Safety account just before 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on Wednesday. "This restriction applies to all users, including paid subscribers.”

The X Safety update also stated that it takes Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and non-consensual nudity seriously before reiterating another recent change: Image creation and editing via the Grok account on X is now limited to subscribers.

The X Safety account also announced that it now has the ability to geoblock "all users to [sic] generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire via the Grok account and in Grok in X in those jurisdictions where it’s illegal.”

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Grok and X have faced a wave of scrutiny in the new year as sexualized, non-consensual images of celebrities and children, prompted by users and created by its AI, have proliferated on X. California attorney general Rob Bonta has demanded Grok and its developer xAI take steps to remove and prevent such images, threatening to use "all tools at our disposal" to keep its residents safe.

"This material, which depicts women and children in nude and sexually explicit situations, has been used to harass people across the internet,” Bonta said in a statement on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, xAI/X/Grok boss Elon Musk appeared to dare users to "break Grok image moderation" on the same day that X Safety announced its new safety updates:

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. SEE ALSO: Grok ban: The nations considering blocking AI chatbot over nonconsensual sexual content

Last week, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the AI tool's generation of sexualised imagery of women and children, calling it "disgraceful" and "disgusting." He said Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator had the government's full support to take action against X and xAI. On Monday, Starmer threatened to take action against Musk, saying "if X cannot control Grok, we will," according to a BBC report. Indonesia and Malaysia already blocked Grok access this weekend.

U.S. politicians have also targeted Grok and X, with three Democratic senators calling on Apple to remove the services from its app store. The apps are still available in Apple's app store as of Wednesday evening.

X's recent changes to its policy may reflect an acknowledgment by company leaders that it is not protected by Section 230 of the U.S.'s 30-year-old Communications Decency Act, according to the BBC. Section 230 shields tech companies from lawsuits related to user-generated content, but images and other content created by an app's own technology may be less impervious to such legal immunity.

Verizon's network was down for much of Wednesday, the company eventually announcing that it had been restored at 10:20 p.m. ET / 7:20 p.m. PT. Thousands of users across the U.S. were left with their phones in SOS mode due to this outage, meaning they could only make emergency calls. Well, at least in theory. In practice, some attempts to contact 911 reportedly struggled to get through.

SEE ALSO: Verizon outage cause: What we know, what we don't

Though the Verizon mobile network was down for hours, one silver lining was that 911 calls should have still worked. Calls to emergency services can connect to any mobile tower, helping ensure customers of a downed network aren't cut off from help.

Unfortunately, it seems the system might not have worked entirely as intended. Some Verizon users claimed this outage prevented them from calling 911, while multiple official emergency services recommended contacting them via alternate means.

"This light caught fire today and my family was unable to call 911 because of @Verizon's incompetency," X user @OmarMKAhmad alleged, sharing a photograph of a burnt and melted ceiling light. "Thankfully our cleaners happened to be at the house (who have @TMobile) and called 911."

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The Office of Unified Communications (OUC) acknowledged the then ongoing Verizon outage on Wednesday evening via X, warning that the outage was impacting some people attempting to call for emergency services. It also sent a message via AlertDC, the District of Columbia’s official emergency notification system.

"OUC is aware of a nationwide Verizon outage affecting some users trying to reach 911," wrote OUC. "If you have an emergency and cannot connect using your Verizon device, please connect using a device from another carrier, a landline, or go to a police or fire station to report the emergency."

New York's official emergency notification system addressed Verizon's outage as well. Notify NYC stated that the issue "may affect some users trying to call 911," and also recommended people who require emergency services reach out via a different network or a landline, or alternatively seek help in person. Fortunately, people in New York can also use LinkNYC kiosks or FDNY call boxes to contact emergency services. 

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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 January 15, 2026

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 January 15, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 15 Pips

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Equal (1): Everything in this green space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 15 Pips

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

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically.

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

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

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

Number (5): Everything in this green space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically; 2-5, placed horizontally.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 15 Pips

Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.

Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.

Equal (0): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 0-3, placed vertically.

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

Not Equal: Everything in this dark blue space must be different. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically.

Not Equal: Everything in this green space must be different. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 2-5, placed vertically.

Number (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.

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

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

Equal (3): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (3): Everything in this dark blue space must be greater than 3. The answer is 3-5, placed vertically.

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

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know Italian soccer teams.

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: NO

• Green: Italian

• Blue: Scrap

• Purple: Sounds like a Yankee

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Reject a Shot

• Green: Serie A Teams

• Blue: Benches-Clearing Brawl

• Purple: Yankees Greats, With The First Letter Changed

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 #479 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Reject a Shot - BLOCK, DENY, STUFF, SWAT

• Serie A Teams - BOLOGNA, COMO, JUVENTUS, ROMA

• Benches-Clearing Brawl - BROUHAHA, FGHT, FRACAS, RHUBARB

• Yankees Greats, With The First Letter Changed - FUDGE, METER, TERRA, WORD

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

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

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

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

Updated on Jan. 14 at 11:37 p.m. ET : Verizon states that the outage has now been resolved, though hasn't yet shared any details on what caused it. If you're still having difficulty connecting to the network, Verizon recommends restarting your device. The company also confirmed again that it will provide account credits to impacted customers.

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Updated on Jan. 14 at 9:18 p.m. ET: In an apology to its customers posted on X and provided to Mashable on Wednesday evening, Verizon said that it would be providing "account credit" to users affected by the outage. The company also said it would provide further updates soon.

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Verizon customers from Los Angeles to New York City reported phones stuck in SOS mode on Wednesday afternoon as the mobile company experienced a major outage — with no explanation offered.

But as customers complained about the service disruption on social media, one Verizon support account suggested customers may see a discount on a future bill.

"I pay $175 for my Verizon phone bill I better get a discount next bill cycle," a user named "Kardashiangirl" wrote. A Verizon support account replied: "You are very welcome, once service is restored we can review and adjust based on how long the outage occurs." The message was signed by "Sydney," who also offered a happy smiling emoji

Many angry Verizon customers have been complaining on X (and elsewhere) about the cost of their bills and the length of the disruption. Meanwhile, statement from Verizon Support posted on X thanked users for their patience.

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This isn't the first time Verizon has experienced an outage in recent years.

In September 2025, and again in October 2025, many Verizon mobile customers experienced mobile outages, which Verizon eventually attributed to software issues. A previous service disruption in 2024 sent some Verizon customers' phones into SOS mode, as in this 2026 outage.

While in SOS mode, customers are only able to make emergency 911 calls.

As of this writing, T-Mobile and AT&T's networks appear to be operating normally.

This is a developing story...