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TL;DR: Live stream Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers 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 NBA action continues over the festive period with the Portland Trail Blazers taking on the Los Angeles Clippers. Neither team has been very impressive this season, but there's still time to end the year on a high.

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

When is Trail Blazers vs. Clippers?

Trail Blazers vs. Clippers in the NBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Dec. 26. This game takes place at the Moda Center.

How to watch Trail Blazers vs. Clippers for free

Trail Blazers vs. Clippers 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., 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., 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.

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 eight 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 Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers 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.

There are a number of interesting NBA games taking place over the festive period, including Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers. There have been plenty of positive signs for the 76ers this season, so they'll be looking to end the year on a high. The Bulls are falling away after a really strong start, but there's still time to turn things around.

If you want to watch Bulls vs. 76ers in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Bulls vs. 76ers?

Bulls vs. 76ers in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 26. This game takes place at the United Center.

How to watch Bulls vs. 76ers for free

Bulls vs. 76ers 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., 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., 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.

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 eight 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 Morocco vs. Mali in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

A lot of fans think the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is Morocco's to lose. The hosts are hot favorites to lift the trophy this year, but they're not going to have it all their own way. Next they face Mali in a fascinating Group A matchup. Can Mali produce a heroic performance to shock the hosts?

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

When is Morocco vs. Mali?

Morocco vs. Mali in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on Dec. 26. This fixture takes place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

How to watch Morocco vs. Mali for free

Morocco vs. Mali 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. Mali 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. Mali 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. Mali (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. Mali in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Egypt vs. South Africa 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 second round of Africa Cup of Nations group games kick off in Morocco. Fans will have their eyes on Egypt. Not just because of their record at the tournament — they've won seven AFCON titles — but because the squad features star player Mo Salah.

While Salah has had a tough season in the Premier League with Liverpool, he remains one of the greatest players in the world. But he's never won the AFCON with Egypt and he'll be looking to captain his country to success and extend Egypt's impressive record. South Africa, meanwhile, are also looking to make a statement in Group B.

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

When is Egypt vs. South Africa?

Egypt vs. South Africa in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 10 a.m. ET on Dec. 26. This fixture takes place at the Le Grand Stade Agadir.

How to watch Egypt vs. South Africa for free

Egypt vs. South Africa 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 Egypt vs. South Africa 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 Egypt vs. South Africa 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 Egypt vs. South Africa (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 Egypt vs. South Africa in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

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

Christmas Day is done and dusted and it's back to business in the Africa Cup of Nations. The second of round of group games kicks off with Angola vs. Zimbabwe.

Neither team is ranked as a favorite at the Morocco-hosted event, but tournament soccer — particularly the group stages — can be unpredictable. That's part of the beauty of the game. Eyes are on this group because it also includes Egypt and their star player, Mo Salah. While Zimbabwe have already faced Egypt, Angola face Salah's sqaud next and will want to make an impression here.

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

When is Angola vs. Zimbabwe?

Angola vs. Zimbabwe in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off at 7.30 a.m. ET on Dec. 26. This fixture takes place at the Stade de Marrakech.

How to watch Angola vs. Zimbabwe for free

Angola vs. Zimbabwe 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 Angola vs. Zimbabwe 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 Angola vs. Zimbabwe 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 Angola vs. Zimbabwe (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 Angola vs. Zimbabwe in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 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 26, 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 26, 2025 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 26 Pips

Equal (4): Everything in this green space must be equal to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (3): Everything in this orange space must add up to 3. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally; 2-0, placed horizontally.

Less Than (1): Everything in this space must be less than 1. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 26 Pips

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

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.

Not Equal: Everything in this space must be different. The answer is 4-5, placed horizontally; 0-1, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally; 0-6, placed vertically.

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

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Dec. 26 Pips

Number (11): Everything in this space must add up to 11. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 1-2, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (2): Everything in this red space must be equal to 2. The answer is 1-2, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed horizontally.

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

Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally; 1-4, placed vertically.

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

Equal (3): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 3. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 3-2, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed horizontally; 3-3, placed vertically; 3-0, placed horizontally.

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

Equal (0): Everything in this green space must be equal to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 0-0, placed vertically; 1-0, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.

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

Greater Than (11): Everything in this space must be greater than 11. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 6-4, 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 NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're from the Golden State.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. 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 today's 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?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. 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: NYT Pips hints, answers for December 26, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Golden State

• Green: Funny films

• Blue: Old-school groups

• Purple: Not white

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: California-based character tropes

• Green: Comedy subgenres

• Blue: '70s rock bands

• Purple: Black ___

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 #929 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• California-based character tropes: MOVIE EXEC, SURFER, TECH BRO, VALLEY GIRL

• Comedy subgenres: BUDDY, CRINGE, SCREWBALL, STONER

• '70s rock bands: AMERICA, CHICAGO, FOREIGNER, JOURNEY

• Black ___: FOREST, FRIDAY, PANTHER, WIDOW

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 26, 2025

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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 today's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you love to shop til you drop.

Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

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

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 26, 2025 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 26, 2025 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Please hold

The words are related to shopping.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe an annual shopping day.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Boxing Day.

NYT Strands word list for December 26

• Shoe

• Match

• Gift

• Lunch

• Boxing Day

• Tackle

• Tool

• Ballot

• Pizza

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and 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 today's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love to go fast.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. 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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 26, 2025 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for December 26, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Pace.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter E appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SPEED

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle 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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 26, 2025

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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 today's Wordle.

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

Gelatinous.

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

JELLY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A popular Colorado ski town.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for December 26, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

ASPEN

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A raid.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 26 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 26, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

FORAY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A Jewish leader.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for December 26 Hurdle Word 4 answer

RABBI

Final Hurdle hint

Kidney-related.

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

RENAL

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 following contains spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2.

"Everything we have ever assumed about the Upside Down has been dead wrong," Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) says in Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2. And how right he is.

SEE ALSO: The 'Stranger Things' play totally unlocks 'Stranger Things' Season 5, Vol. 2

The latest batch of Stranger Things episodes blows the show's world-building wide open, revealing what, exactly the Upside Down is. But that's not all. It also gives us more detail into the mysterious dimension where Henry Creel/Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower) has been hanging out, which Dustin coins "the Abyss."

So what's the deal with the Abyss, and how is it connected to our world and the Upside Down? Let's break it down.

What is the Abyss? Jamie Campbell Bower in "Stranger Things." Credit: Netflix

In the world of Dungeons & Dragons, the Abyss is "a realm of pure chaos and evil," as science teacher Mr. Clarke (Randy Havens) describes it. That makes it the perfect namesake for the alternate dimension that Henry has made his home. Before the release of Season 5, Stranger Things fans referred to this world as "Dimension X," a name that comes not from any dialogue in the show, but from the released script for the Season 4 finale.

SEE ALSO: The Duffer Brothers use 'Stranger Things' Funko dolls to hint at how the show ends

Separate from the Upside Down, the Abyss is a yellow-tinged world full of bleak mountains and floating rock formations. It's also the original home to creatures like the Mind Flayer and the Demogorgons. As Holly (Nell Fisher) discovers in Season 5, Volume 2, if you go through one of the rifts in the ground in the Abyss, you'll find yourself falling through the Upside Down.

The Upside Down is a wormhole, not an alternate dimension. Randy Havens in "Stranger Things." Credit: Netflix

For Stranger Things' whole run, our heroes have assumed the Upside Down is an alternate dimension, like the Abyss turns out to be. However, that couldn't be farther from the truth. Instead, using Dr. Brenner's (Matthew Modine) notes from Hawkins Lab in the Upside Down, Dustin realizes that the Upside Down is actually a wormhole connecting our dimension and the Abyss.

Stranger Things has been hinting at this reveal throughout Season 5. Look no further than its references to A Wrinkle in Time, which features wormhole-like tesseracts. Or how about Mr. Clarke fully teaching a class on Einstein-Rosen Bridges, aka wormholes?

SEE ALSO: Here's how to watch the 'Stranger Things' Season 5 finale in theaters

Henry, the Mind Flayer, and the Demogorgons have been using the Upside Down as a path to get to our world. And if they're ever gravely wounded in our world or the Upside Down, as Henry was at the end of Season 4, they can always retreat back up into the Abyss. That explains why none of the crawls ever located Henry: He was biding his time up in the sky.

How was the Upside Down wormhole created in the first place? Credit: Netflix

Presumably, the Abyss has always existed in parallel with our world, but how did they end up connected? The answer: Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown).

In 1979, following the massacre at Hawkins Lab, Eleven banishes Henry to the Abyss. It's not the first time he's been there. As the play Stranger Things: The First Shadow confirms (and Volume 2 hints at), young Henry found himself teleported there while exploring a Nevada cave system.

After Eleven banishes Henry, Dr. Brenner focuses on trying to get her to find him psychically. Those experiments led her to make contact with a Demogorgon back in the void, all the way back in Season 1. When she did, that created not just the gate to the Upside Down, but the Upside Down itself, bridging the two worlds.

Great, so what does exotic matter have to do with all of this? Credit: Netflix

Dustin doesn't just discover that the Upside Down is a wormhole. He also learns that the entire bridge is being held together by exotic matter, which is the roiling ball of energy he, Steve (Joe Keery), Nancy (Natalia Dyer), and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) discover hovering over Hawkins Lab in Indiana.

Exotic matter is a real scientific term. According to BBC Science Focus, "It's the generic name physicists give to matter with weird properties. Exactly how weird depends on the area of physics."

For the purposes of Stranger Things, though, exotic matter is the source of energy that keeps the walls around the Upside Down wormhole together. If it's destroyed, the whole bridge goes down — along with anyone in it. The destruction of the bridge will prove crucial to our heroes' plan to stop Vecna from joining the Abyss to our world.

So now that we've gotten that impromptu physics lesson out of the way, the stage is set for what's shaping up to be a massive finale. Here's hoping everyone makes it out alive.

Volumes 1 and 2 of Stranger Things Season 5 are now streaming on Netflix. The series finale premieres Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix and in theaters.

The following contains spoilers for Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2.

Watching Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway after watching Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 1 was a surreal experience.

Not only were audience members treated to the play's spectacular special effects — seriously, you'll feel like you're in an episode of Stranger Things — but we also got to see how the play linked to Season 5.

SEE ALSO: 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' review: How does Netflix do the stage?

Mentions of Henry Creel's (Jamie Campbell Bower) childhood in Nevada made audience members gasp as they recalled the mysterious Nevada cave system in Henry's mindscape. Elsewhere, young Joyce's production of Oklahoma! in The First Shadow tied to Henry's memories of his time at Hawkins High, through which Max navigates in Volume 1. You even catch a glimpse of the flyer in the series, which reveals that Henry himself is starring in it.

But after watching Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2, it turns out there are even more connections between the play and the show, each helping the other create a clearer portrait of Henry/Vecna's origin story. From Henry's fateful time in Nevada to some enlightening information about Eleven's (Millie Bobby Brown) own powers, here's how Stranger Things: The First Shadow illuminates the mysteries of Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow reveals why Henry is so afraid of the caves in his mindscape. Jamie Campbell Bower in "Stranger Things." Credit: Netflix

One of the biggest questions I had about Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 1 was why Henry was too scared to follow Max into the cave system in his memories. Lo and behold, Stranger Things: The First Shadow had the answer the whole time.

The play reveals that the cave system was where Henry first ventured to Dimension X — now dubbed "The Abyss" in Stranger Things. That's the alternate dimension where the Mind Flayer and Demogorgons are from, as opposed to the Upside Down, which Volume 2 reveals is a bridge connecting the Abyss to our world.

According to Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the Nevada caves in Henry's memory were home to experiments Dr. Brenner (Michael Modine) was running in order to learn more about Dimension X. His own father briefly vanished there during a World War II-era experiment on the USS Eldridge battleship. However, one of the scientists on his team defected to the Soviets. He stole some equipment from the labs and fled. During his escape, he crossed paths with Henry, at which point the stolen equipment transported them both to the Abyss.

SEE ALSO: Finn Wolfhard teases the final 4 'Stranger Things' episodes with a word each

Naturally, that dimension-hopping experience was traumatizing for Henry, explaining why he won't revisit those caves or memories in his mindscape. But while all of this is relayed through a speech from Dr. Brenner in Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2 actually gives us a sneak peek at what happened to young Henry out in Nevada.

In episode 6, "Escape from Camazotz," Max and Holly (Nell Fisher) watch Henry's encounter with the defecting scientist. Initially, Henry wants to help the wounded defector, who's carrying a mysterious briefcase. But when the scientist shoots him in the hand — leaving a wound that Dr. Brenner mentions in Stranger Things: The First Shadow, but does not explain — Henry goes into fight-or-flight mode. He brains the scientist with a rock, the action starting as a survival instinct but quickly growing more bloodthirsty. Then, he goes to open the briefcase.

All we see of the case's contents is a rolling fog before Max and Holly continue on their way. But thanks to Stranger Things: The First Shadow, we know that whatever's inside the briefcase will bring Henry to Dimension X, where he'll come face to face with the Mind Flayer.

Don't expect that reveal to remain play-only knowledge, though. There's no way the Duffer Brothers would tease the importance of the Nevada memory without following through.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow explains why Henry and Eleven's blood is different. Jamie Campbell Bower in "Stranger Things." Credit: Netflix

Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2 drops a pretty big bombshell about Eleven's powers. Throughout the show, she's believed she has her abilities because of her pregnant mother's involvement in the MKUltra program, which exposed Eleven to mind-altering drugs in the womb. However, it turns out her powers really stemmed from transfusions of Henry's blood.

In Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Dr. Brenner tells Henry that when his father reappeared from the Abyss, he had a completely unique blood type. The same exact thing happened to Henry following his exposure to the Abyss and the Mind Flayer.

The play features scenes of Dr. Brenner drawing Henry's blood, and we later learn why: It's to give to all of the kids being used in the Hawkins lab experiments. The transfusions impart Henry's powers to the children, all without exposing them to the Abyss themselves.

In Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 2, the U.S. government is attempting to recreate the success of those initial transfusions, this time forcing transfusions of Kali's (Linnea Berthelsen) blood into unconscious pregnant women. If they capture Eleven, they'd drain her blood as well. As Kali reasons, the government's insistence on seeing this program through means that neither she nor Eleven will ever be safe.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow's revelation that exposure to the Mind Flayer and the Abyss changes your blood type — and therefore likely gives you powers — adds a new wrinkle to Holly's plight. She, Derek (Jake Connelly), and the other kidnapped children have all been trapped within the Abyss, with Henry hoping to use them as vessels for his powers in order to join our world with his. However, if they do manage to escape this whole situation alive, will their powers remain? And will the government hunt them down in the way they did Kali and Eleven?

Unfortunately, that's not a question Stranger Things: The First Shadow can answer. Only the finale can do that.

Volumes 1 and 2 of Stranger Things Season 5 are now streaming on Netflix. The series finale premieres Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix and in theaters.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is now playing on Broadway and in the West End.

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If you’ve just got a new PC, connected everything, booted up the system, fired up your favorite game, and realized it runs super slowly, you might’ve made an honest mistake that many new PC gamers make.

The Ruby programming language continues its tradition of delivering major updates on Christmas Day, announcing the release of Ruby 4.0.0, which introduces two massive new experimental features: the isolation mechanism known as Ruby Box and the next-generation just-in-time compiler, ZJIT.

When it comes to setting up free websites, there's always a catch. But if you want a free, simple method to set up a free, static website for yourself or for a personal project, that's relatively easy to do.

Heated Rivalry, HBO Max's gay hockey series that has everyone I know losing their minds, is finally — and sadly — coming to an end. But don't worry: It's just the finale of Season 1. We still have at least two more seasons of hockey smut to look forward to.

The Canadian import from streamer Crave, based on Rachel Reid's queer romance novels, burst onto screens in late November and wasted no time earning its cult obsession status. The series delivers on every front: scorching chemistry between rising stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie; refreshingly honest depictions of LGBTQ athletes; polished production and strong performances; and, of course, an abundance of unapologetically horny encounters that have launched a thousand group chats.

SEE ALSO: Why is the sex in 'Heated Rivalry' so hot?

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So if you, like seemingly everyone clogging up your social media feed, are counting down the minutes to the Jacob Tierney–helmed show's finale, you’re in luck.

The final episode of Heated Rivalry drops at midnight tonight — Friday, Dec. 26, 2025 (that’s 12:00 a.m. EST or 9:00 p.m. PT on Thursday, Dec. 25). Consider it a holiday miracle. Frankly, it’s the Christmas present we all deserved.

The Toyota RAV4 has become one of the most popular vehicles in America, and for 2026, it continues to attract buyers with its blend of practicality, efficiency, and everyday usability. But as demand has grown, so have prices, especially once buyers start adding options. A fully loaded version of this best-selling compact SUV now sits much closer to luxury territory than many shoppers might expect.

Despite a lot of early handwringing, SSDs have turned out to be incredibly robust in the real world. Personally, I have several SSDs that are quite old, some are even from a decade ago! They're still going strong, and with care I'll probably get years more out of them, but I have also ended SSDs prematurely, and there are three prime habits to cultivate if you want to avoid that for as long as possible.