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TL;DR: Live stream Golden State Warriors 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.

There are a number of really interesting NBA games over the first weekend of 2026, but Golden State Warriors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder might be the best of the bunch. Can the old guard of the Warriors stop the Thunder juggernaut?

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

When is Warriors vs. Thunder?

Warriors vs. Thunder in the NBA starts at 10 p.m. ET on Jan. 2. This game takes place at the Chase Center.

How to watch Warriors vs. Thunder for free

Warriors 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 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 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 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 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 New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks 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's no new year break for the NBA. The games come thick and fast in 2026, with New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks one of the most interesting contests as we head into the weekend. Both teams look strong this season, but Knicks fans will be expecting a win at the Garden.

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

When is Knicks vs. Hawks?

Knicks vs. Hawks in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 2. This game takes place at Madison Square Garden.

How to watch Knicks vs. Hawks for free

Knicks vs. Hawks 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 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 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 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 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: Don’t miss Microsoft Office 2019 Home & Business for Mac for just $29.97 (reg. $229) — a one-time purchase that gives you lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams Classic with no ongoing subscription fees.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac $29.97
$229 Save $199.03   Get Deal

If you’ve been relying on free productivity apps and finding their limitations a little more noticeable each day, this offer arrives at the perfect time.

Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac is available for just $29.97 (reg. $229), giving you lifetime access to the full suite of essential tools — no monthly subscription fees, no cloud dependency, and no need to stay online just to get work done.

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This version of Office was rebuilt specifically for the modern Mac environment. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams Classic all benefit from macOS-optimized performance, including Retina display clarity, full-screen support, and smooth, responsive interfaces.

Whether you’re drafting reports, managing business emails, creating presentations, or organizing personal projects, the apps feel fast, familiar, and offline-ready.

Office 2019 Home & Business is a strong fit for anyone balancing work and personal tasks on the same device. From families managing schedules to small teams collaborating remotely, the suite offers tools that help streamline workflows without requiring constant updates or cloud syncing.

Because this license ties to your Microsoft account rather than your physical device, you can reinstall anytime you upgrade your hardware — ideal for long-term use. And with instant digital delivery, you can start working right away.

If you’re ready to give your Mac a productivity suite that feels stable, powerful, and refreshingly subscription-free, this one-time purchase may be the easiest upgrade you make all year.

Get Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for Mac is available for just $29.97 (reg. $229).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Browse the web with peace of mind thanks to this Deeper Connect Air Portable Decentralized VPN Travel Router, on sale now for $159.97 (reg. $219) through Jan. 11.

Opens in a new window Credit: Deeper Connect Deeper Connect Air Portable Decentralized VPN Travel Router $159.97
$219 Save $59.03   Get Deal

Do you have a lot of travel planned for 2026? Whether you’re a jetsetter or you’ve got improving your home online security on this year’s resolution list, VPNs are an easy way to upgrade your cybersecurity.

The Deeper Connect Air Portable Decentralized VPN Travel Router is an easy-to-use option that can tag along anywhere, and right now it’s on sale for $159.97 (reg. $219) until Jan. 11.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

It’s time to take your online security more seriously. Luckily, the Deeper Connect Air Portable Decentralized VPN Travel Router is on sale just in time. This option offers military-grade encryption, so your data stays safe everywhere you go — from public Wi-Fi to your parents’ house.

This VPN Travel Router not only safeguards your information from hackers, but also lets you browse the web freely without geographical restrictions. You won’t have to miss an episode of your favorite show, as you can access whatever streaming services you want from anywhere. You can also watch seamlessly with blazing-fast speeds thanks to the 300 Mbps connection.

There are parental control options in Deeper Connect for the kids in your life, plus an ad blocker for an even more peaceful browsing experience. You can also use it on up to five devices simultaneously, so you can share the safety and security.

Unlike most VPNs, you can pay just once and use the Deeper Connect Air Portable Decentralized VPN Travel Router for life — no subscription fees required. A plug-and-play configuration makes it easy to use, and it’s pocket-sized, so it’s easy to bring along anywhere.

Get this Deeper Connect Air Portable Decentralized VPN Travel Router, on sale now for $159.97 (reg. $219) until Jan. 11.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Stranger Things has finally come to an end, with the series finale streaming New Year's Eve on Netflix. However, reactions to Stranger Things' grand finale have been mixed, with many left unsatisfied with how the popular series ultimately concluded.

SEE ALSO: 'Stranger Things' series finale trailer teases final battle against Vecna

The Duffer Brothers' retro sci-fi series has significantly evolved since its 2016 premiere, starting with a small town teen's disappearance and ending with a potentially world-ending supernatural fight. Stranger Things fans were eager to find out how it all ended, and learn the fate of beloved characters such as Steve (Joe Keery), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), and Max (Sadie Sink).

Featured Video For You Gaten Matarazzo on 'Stranger Things' 'SNL' shoutout, Dustin and Steve's big fight, and why AI is 'lame'

Unfortunately, not everyone received a completely happy ending. 

Beware, massive spoilers ahead.

Did Eleven die in Stranger Things? Credit: Netflix

Season 5 revealed Vecna's (Jamie Campbell Bower) grand plan to merge Hawkins' dimension with an alternate one labelled the Abyss, uncovering the Upside Down's true nature as a wormhole connecting the two. In 'Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up,' the group ventured into the Abyss to confront both him and the Mind Flayer in a dramatic final fight, eventually emerging victorious thanks to their combined efforts (and projectile weaponry).

Yet while most of the party made it back to Hawkins relatively unscathed, not all did. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) failed to return to Hawkins with her friends, choosing to deliberately stay behind and sacrifice herself to ensure her blood couldn't be used to restart Hawkins Lab's human experimentation program. Though Mike (Finn Wolfhard) comes up with a theory as to how she may have secretly survived, Stranger Things ultimately leaves Eleven's fate ambiguous.

"There are two roads that Eleven could take," Matt Duffer said in an interview with Netflix. "There’s this darker, more pessimistic one or the optimistic, hopeful one. Mike is the optimist of the group and has chosen to believe in that story."

"There was never a version of the story where Eleven was hanging out with the gang at the end," Ross Duffer agreed. "For us and our writers, we didn’t want to take her powers away. She represents magic in a lot of ways and the magic of childhood. For our characters to move on and for the story of Hawkins and the Upside Down to come to a close, Eleven had to go away. We thought it would be beautiful if our characters continued to believe in that happier ending even if we didn’t give them a clear answer to whether that’s true or not."

Stranger Things' finale leaves fans dissatisfied Credit: Netflix

Despite the Duffer Brothers' reasoning, Eleven's fate upset many viewers who had hoped for an unequivocally happy ending. Online reactions to Stranger Things' finale have been largely negative, as fans expressed their frustration with the ending they were given.

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Eleven's fate wasn't the only issue fans had with Stranger Things' finale either. Many viewers also felt that the final battle was anticlimactic, and that the series' conclusion failed to reward the characters for their efforts throughout past seasons — or the viewers for their loyalty. 

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Some fans further speculated that Stranger Things' cast may be just as dissatisfied by the ending as its viewers. In a popular X post, Stranger Things X fan account @stonetflix likened Brown's seemingly apprehensive reaction to being asked about the ending before it aired to that of actor Emilia Clarke answering a similar question about the Game of Thrones finale. Game of Thrones' conclusion was notoriously poorly received, with many viewers upset by the ending given to Clarke's character Daenerys Targaryen.

Though widespread sentiment is that Stranger Things' ending was nowhere near as bad as Game of Thrones', the fact that the parallel is being drawn at all isn't a great sign.

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Fortunately, while many reactions to Stranger Things' finale were negative, not everyone was disappointed. While in the minority, a few fans expressed satisfaction with the series' end and appreciation for what it was.

"A lot of the finale is about growing up," said Matt, touching on Eleven's ultimate choice. "It’s the end of a long coming-of-age story and part of coming of age is leaving your parents and making your own decisions. That’s the moment where Eleven reaches that point and Hopper realizes he does have to let go."

"[There were] discussions with ourselves and also with the other actors, and everyone had very specific ideas of where their characters would end up," said Ross. "We wanted them to continue the journeys that they had all started."

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Stranger Things' final season is available to stream now on Netflix.

We're just a day away from the Full Moon, and it’s already starting to light up the night sky. If you look closely, you might catch some of the bigger craters and dark patches on its surface.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Friday, Jan. 2, the moon phase is Waxing Gibbous. According to The Sky Live, 98.9% of the moon will be lit up tonight.

When is the next full moon?

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

What are moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes roughly 29.5 days to complete a full cycle. This cycle is known as the lunar cycle. Throughout this period, the Moon moves through a series of phases as it orbits the Earth. While the same side of the Moon always faces our planet, the amount of sunlight illuminating its surface changes over time. This is why the Moon appears fully lit, partially illuminated, or not visible at all at different stages of the cycle. The lunar cycle is divided into eight main phases:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a healthy eater.

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 January 2, 2026 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: To notate

• Green: A skit

• Blue: A guideline

• Purple: Greens

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Write

• Green: Shtick

• Blue: Benchmark

• Purple: Vegetable minus starting letter

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 #936 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Write: JOT, LOG, NOTE, RECORD

• Shtick: BIT, GAG, NUMBER, ROUTINE

• Benchmark: BAR, EXAMPLE, METRIC, STANDARD

• Vegetable minus starting letter: ALE, EEK, HIVE, QUASH

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 January 2, 2026

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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you hate the cold.

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 January 2, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 2, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Home is where the hearth is

The words are related to coziness.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to heat up.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Stay Warm.

NYT Strands word list for January 2

• Blanket

• Slippers

• Cocoa

• Stay Warm

• Robe

• Fireplace

• Cuddles

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 yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love true crime.

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 January 2, 2026 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 January 2, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Evidence.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter O appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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...

PROOF

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 January 2, 2026

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 yesterday'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

Insulting.

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

SNIDE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

___ and bone.

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

FLESH

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Convulsion.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 2 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for January 2, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

SPASM

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Out of shape.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for January 2 Hurdle Word 4 answer

RUSTY

Final Hurdle hint

Foliage.

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

FLORA

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

Fans of the 1930s character Betty Boop can rejoice as a precursor of the iconic cartoon is now in the public domain, as of Jan. 1, 2026.

That means anyone can adapt that specific version of Betty Boop, which appeared in the Dizzy Dishes cartoon, into their own creative work without being subject to copyright laws.

This version of Betty Boop featured her characteristic large eyes and pout but also had elongated dog ears. Her romantic interest at the time was a dog chef, hence her surreal canine appearance.

SEE ALSO: Yes, Popeye can eat spinach: Everything you need to know about Public Domain Day 2025

In 2026, Betty Boop is joined in the public domain by other popular characters, books, films, and songs, including new Mickey Mouse cartoons and comics; the Blondie comic strip characters Blondie and Dagwood; William Faulkner's novel As I Lay Dying, the illustrated version of Watty Piper's children's book The Little Engine That Could; the film All Quiet on the Western Front; and the standards "Dream a Little Dream of Me" and "Georgia on My Mind," previously recorded by famous acts like The Mamas & the Papas and Ray Charles, respectively.

These and other creative works now in the public domain can be used without permission or payment. However, people should pay close attention to what version of the work is eligible for use.

Fleischer Studios, which appears to own the copyright to the fully developed Betty Boop character, pointed out that the expiration of that copyright does not apply to other Betty Boop copyrights and trademarks still in effect.

While nine early Mickey Mouse cartoons are now in the public domain, the Mickey Mouse character is still subject to enduring rights. (For more on these legal complexities, check out Mashable's story on the arrival of Popeye to the public domain in 2025.)

Here's some of the notable and beloved works entering the public domain in 2026, according to Duke University's Center for the Study of the Public Domain:

Comics, character, and cartoons

• Dizzy Dishes-era Betty Boop

• Rover (aka Pluto) from Disney's animated 1930 film The Chain Gang

• Original Blondie comic strip characters Blondie and Dagwood

• Nine Mickey Mouse cartoons from 1930, plus the first Mickey Mouse comic strips published in 1930

Films

• All Quiet on the Western Front, directed by Lewis Milestone

• Hell's Angels, directed by Howard Hughes

• The Big Trail, directed by Raoul Walsh

• Anna Christie, directed by Clarence Brown

Literature

• William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying

• Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon

• T.S. Eliot's Ash Wednesday

• Bertrand Russell's The Conquest of Happiness

Musical Compositions

• "Georgia on My Mind," written by Stuart Gorrell and Hoagy Carmichael

• "Dream a Little Dream of Me," written by Fabian Andre, Wilbur Schwandt, and Gus Kahn

• "On the Sunny Side of the Street," by Dorothy Fields and Jimmy McHugh

• "I Got Rhythm," "I've Got a Crush on You," "But Not for Me," and "Embraceable You," written by Ira Gershwin and George Gershwin

When Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri looks into the rapidly approaching future of AI-generated content, he sees a massive problem: how to tell authentic media apart from the kind made with AI technology.

In a recent Threads post on the topic, Mosseri said that social media platforms like Instagram will be under mounting pressure to help users tell the difference. Mosseri argued that major platforms will initially succeed at spotting and labeling AI content, but that they'll begin to falter as AI imitates reality with more precision.

"There is already a growing number of people who believe, as I do, that it will be more practical to fingerprint real media than fake media," Mosseri wrote.

SEE ALSO: The top 10 most-followed Instagram accounts

That "fingerprint" could be created from within cameras themselves, if their manufacturers "cryptographically sign images at capture, creating a chain of custody."

"We need to label AI-generated content clearly, and work with manufacturers to verify authenticity at capture — fingerprinting real media, not just chasing fake," Mosseri added.

Such labeling could help people navigate the AI slop that's flooding the internet. (Mashable's Tim Marcin has explained how we got to this moment.)

Mosseri also wrote that identifying the authenticity of creator content will shape the way people relate to that media: "We need to surface credibility signals about who's posting so people can decide who to trust."

Can't get enough Critical Role after finishing Season 1 of The Mighty Nein or getting all caught up on Campaign 4? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

SEE ALSO: Which Critical Role campaign is funniest? The cast weighs in.

In the latest episode of Mashable's Say More interview series, Mashable Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards tasks Critical Role cast members Laura Bailey, Taliesin Jaffe, Ashley Johnson, Matthew Mercer, Liam O'Brien, Marisha Ray, Sam Riegel, and Travis Willingham with a daunting mission. They must draft teams of player characters from their first three Dungeons & Dragons campaigns to square off in the ultimate Critical Role battle royale. That means usual allies and even romantic pairings like Keyleth (Ray) and Vax (O'Brien) could be going up against each other in a no-holds-barred fight to the finish.

For this edition of Choose Your Squad, the rules are simple: Once you choose a character, they're off the board for good. Try not to choose your own characters unless you absolutely have to, and most importantly, try to have a good time. Just kidding — crush your opponents in any way you see fit!

Which PC will be the first pick in the Critical Role draft, and are they the same PC O'Brien believes to be the obvious choice? Most importantly, is there any world in which Bertrand Bell (Willingham) doesn't get picked last? (Sorry, Bertrand.)

Watch the video above to find out, and let us know which Critical Role squad you think would take the win.

The Mighty Nein Season 1 is now streaming on Prime Video.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier if you know collegiate sports.

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: Defense

• Green: Homes

• Blue: Teammates

• Purple: Same second word

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Try to stop a basketball shot

• Green: Locations of college football playoff teams

• Blue: First names of Philadelphia Eagles

• Purple: ____ six

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 #465 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• Try to stop a basketball shot - CHALLENGE, CLOSE OUT, CONTEST, DEFEND

• Locations of college football playoff teams - ATHENS, BLOOMINGTON, EUGENE, OXFORD

• First names of Philadelphia Eagles - COOPER, DALLAS, JALEN, SAQUON

• ____ six - KICK, NEW YEAR'S, ORIGINAL, PICK

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.

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 1, 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 1, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 1 Pips

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

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

Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.

Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.

Medium difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 1 Pips

Number (10): Everything in this purple space must add up to 10. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.

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

Number (10): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 10. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.

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

Number (10): Everything in this green space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 4-0, placed horizontally..

Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 6-0, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for Jan. 1 Pips

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 2-6, 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.

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. 1, 2026:

AcrossWord on either side of "___-eat-___"

• The answer is Dog.

Word on either side of "___, all ___!"

• The answer is Mine.

Word on either side of "___ say ___"

• The answer is Never.

First-string squad

• The answer is ATeam.

Causes injury to

• The answer is Harms.

DownSomeone who might be swimming with the fishes

• The answer is Diver.

An hour past midnight

• The answer is One AM.

Hand sanitizer targets

• The answer is Germs.

Like a crossword clue about crossword clues

• The answer is Meta.

"I'll pass, thanks"

• The answer is Nah.

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.

Some tech leaders are concerned that the artificial intelligence race will exhaust available land and energy. The solution might lie in orbit.

Astronomers have found a planet-forming disk that looks like a solar system on steroids. 

New images from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have revealed an enormous, oddly shaped disk of gas and dust around a single massive star or pair of stars about 1,000 light-years away in space. This thing spans nearly 400 billion miles — 40 times the width of everything around the sun, including the outer edge of the Kuiper Belt of comets.

The telescope has captured the system from its side profile, allowing researchers to study its structure in unusual detail. This makes the object, known as IRAS 23077+6707, a sort of laboratory for the planet-making industry, said Kristina Monsch, lead author of the new paper, which was published in The Astrophysical Journal. 

And what researchers found was that making new worlds can be a messy business. 

"Planet nurseries can be much more active and chaotic than we expected," said Monsch, an astronomer with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, in a statement. 

SEE ALSO: Here's what we know about the real alien planet inspiring 'Pluribus' What is a protoplanetary disk?

So-called "protoplanetary disks" form naturally when stars are born. They supply the raw material that later becomes exoplanets, moons, and smaller bodies, like asteroids and comets. To understand how planetary systems develop, scientists need to know how these disks are structured inside and how that structure changes over time.

When disks are seen almost exactly from the side, like this one, it's especially valuable. From this angle, the disk itself blocks the star’s direct light, like placing your hand in front of a bright lamp. This makes the disk appear as a dark band across the middle, with bright regions above and below where light scatters off dust. 

That's why the researchers say IRAS 23077+6707 resembles a burger (though we prefer the image of a macaron cookie, in an elegant pastel hue). The researchers — one of whom calls Transylvania home and another from Uruguay, where the national dish is a sandwich called a chivito — have dubbed it "Dracula's Chivito" to reflect their heritage.  

Hubble's vantage point allowed scientists to observe how material is distributed around the central star or stars. The amount of dust and size of the grains, as well as how the dust interacts with gas and is vertically stacked, all influence what kinds of planets can eventually form.

What astronomers saw in Dracula's Chivito was surprising. Smoky wisps rise high above the disk instead of settling into a flat layer. Long, thread-like filaments stretch outward on one side of the disk but not the other. Its lopsided brightness and shape also change depending on the light wavelength observed, showing that different kinds of dust are arranged at different heights.

The largest forming solar system disk

In theory, Dracula's Chivito could host a vast planetary system, Monsch said. The disk's mass is estimated at 10 to 30 times that of Jupiter — ample material for forming multiple gas giants.

This diagram depicts Dracula's Chivita, a distant planet-forming disk of dust and its surrounding structures, at different wavelengths of light. Credit: Kristina Monsch et al. / DOI 10.3847/1538-4357/ae247f

But the images do not reveal whether planets are already forming, or how many might eventually appear. Instead, they show something more fundamental: The environment where planets grow may stay off-balance and active far longer than anyone thought. Because the researchers didn't see any jets of material shooting away from the system, the disk is believed to be relatively mature, no longer pulling in bulk material from its surroundings.

Despite its age, Dracula's Chivito still essentially looks like a work in progress. Future observations with other telescopes might help astronomers find out whether this sprawling, imbalanced disk will eventually settle down, said Joshua Bennett Lovell, a co-investigator from the Center for Astrophysics. 

"We were stunned to see how asymmetric this disk is," Lovell said in a statement. "Hubble has given us a front row seat to the chaotic processes that are shaping disks as they build new planets — processes that we don't yet fully understand but can now study in a whole new way."

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 ultimate Christmas movie streaming list for 2025

Mashable's entertainment team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of the week and ranked them from worst to best — or least worth your time to most watchable. Whether you're looking for the final chapter of Netflix's major series, twisted true crime stories, a heavy dose of nostalgia, or some divine comedy, we're here for you.

7. The Home

Craving something creepy? Well, if you want holiday horror, we got you covered. If you want the best horror movies of 2025, we have 25 films to offer. If none of that appeals, there's also The Home, which managed a 30 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Saturday Night Live alumnus Pete Davidson stars as Max, a young vandal who's been tasked with community service at an old folks home as recompense for his offenses. But something sinister is happening within the walls of the home. Max begins to notice strange occurrences and uncovers wild secrets, leading to gnarly revelations, but few satisfying scares.

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Starring: Pete Davidson, John Glover, and Bruce Altman

How to watch: The Home is now playing on Starz.

6. Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story

The twisted story of Jodi Hildebrandt and how she harmed the family of YouTuber Ruby Franke has been the subject of a lot of true crime television. But this film, clocking in at an hour and 41 minutes, dives more deeply into Hildebrandt's background. Documentarian Skye Borgman (Abducted in Plain Sight, Unknown Number: The High School Catfish) talk to Hildebrandt's former patients and experts to get an understanding of how she built a cult around the promise of a healthier, happier Mormon marriage.

Along with outlining the crimes of Hildebrandt and Franke, which included child abuse, Evil Influencer considers how the disgraced therapist's own trauma tied to sexist gender dynamics in the church may have led to her perverse form of empowerment. Make no mistake, though: Borgman probes for an explanation without suggesting any of it is an excuse for what happened to the Franke kids.

How to watch: Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story is now streaming on Netflix.

5. Good Night, and Good Luck: Live From Broadway

OK, if you don't keep up on Broadway news, this one is a bit confusing. 20 years ago, George Clooney co-wrote, directed, and co-starred in a historical drama called Good Night, and Good Luck, which featured David Strathairn in the lead role of American journalist Edward R. Murrow.

In 2025, Clooney took a play version of Murrow's story to Broadway, with himself in the lead. After five Tony nominations, the show closed. But on June 8, 2025, Clooney and company performed it live on CNN for all of the nation to see. Now, you can stream this recording of Good Night, and Good Luck whenever you want. See for yourself if it lives up to the hype.

Starring: George Clooney, Ilana Glazer, Glenn Flesher, Clark Gregg, Carter Hudson, Paul Gross, Christopher Denham, Fran Kranz, Marc Brandt, Will Dagger, and Georgia Heers

How to watch: Good Night, and Good Luck: Live from Broadway is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

4. Eternity

One of the best comedies of 2025 is now on digital. Co-written and directed by David Freyne, Eternity imagines an afterlife where you get to pick what your heaven looks like. But there's one catch: You only get to pick once. So, when Larry Cutler (Miles Teller) dies after decades married to his lovely wide Joan (Elizabeth Olsen), he decides to wait in a purgatory that looks like a train station for his bride to rejoin him. There's just one problem: Larry is Joan's second husband. Her first was Luke (Callum Turner), a handsome war vet who died in their youth, and he's also waiting at the not-so-pearly gates. So, who will she choose?

In my review out of the film's TIFF premiere, I cheered, "Eternity delivers a charming parody of romantic comedies without mocking the viewers who love them. The conflict between two kinds of romantic love, and the two robust love interests on offer, makes for exciting tension. The wild spin of their stories leads to moments silly, sexy, and warm. Yet Eternity's afterlife backdrop allows for a slew of more provocative jokes to sneak through. The result is a rom-com that's smart, sensational, and swoon-worthy. "

Starring: Miles Teller, Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner, John Early, Olga Merediz, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph

How to watch: Eternity is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

3. The X-Files

Cue the theme song, and let's time travel back to 1993, when two very different FBI agents were paired up for cases strange and supernatural. Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) was a woman of science, a doctor, and skeptic. Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) was a true believer in all things conspiracy and paranormal, or generally seen as "spooky."

For 11 seasons, these two not only cracked strange cases of monsters and madmen, but also waltzed the will-they-won't-they so intensely that a generation of nerds was in a chokehold. Now, ahead of Ryan Coogler's re-imagined X-Files reboot, you can revisit Chris Carter's original series for all the chills, thrills, and sex appeal.

Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Robert Patrick, Annabeth Gish, and Mitch Pileggi

How to watch: All 11 seasons of The X-Files are now streaming on Pluto TV.

2. Indiana Jones film series

The word "iconic" gets thrown around a lot these days. But Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones is truly iconic. Put that man in some khaki, with a brown fedora and a whip in hand, and generations swoon over the rugged masculinity and sharp intellect that is Indiana Jones.

If the holidays have you craving, action, adventure, sex appeal, nostalgia, or Nazis getting annihilated by divine force, you can't do better than the Indiana Jones movies. And Disney+ is kicking off 2026 by offering the lot. From Raiders of the Lost Ark and Temple of Dune to The Last Crusade, Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and the 2023 treasure that is Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, you can enjoy the hottest man in archaeology fighting, flirting, and facing off against evil foes, vicious rituals, and snakes. (Why'd it have to be snakes!?)

Starring: Harrison Ford

How to watch: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull all begin streaming on Disney+ on Jan. 1. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is currently streaming on Disney+.

Best of Streaming this week: Stranger Things, Season 5: Volume 3

It's wild to think that it's been nearly 10 years since Stranger Things debuted on Netflix, causing a fresh interest in '80s nostalgia and all things Dungeons & Dragons. We've watched as Eleven and her friends fought monsters from the Upside Down while traversing the tricky terrain of teendom. And after Volumes 1 and 2, Season 5's third and final volume will compete their story.

Well, sort of. Netflix is launching a Strangers Things animated spinoff in 2026 — but it's more a filler adventure that takes place between Seasons 2 and 3. And that show — called Stranger Things: Tales from '85 — doesn't boast the OG cast for its voices. So, as you ready yourself for the final chapter of this not-so-never-ending story, savor the journey and the friends made (and maimed) along the way.

Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, and Maya Hawke

How to watch: Stranger Things Season 5, Volume 3 premieres Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET.

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

TL;DR: Visio Pro 2021 is just $9.97 (reg. $249.99) for a limited time — giving you lifetime access to advanced templates, shapes, data-linked diagrams, and collaboration tools for clearer, smarter presentations.

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