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

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

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

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

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, January 8, 2025:

AcrossWord on the front door of the Midvale School for the Gifted, in a famous "Far Side" cartoon

• The answer is Pull.

Classic TV squad featuring B.A., Faceman, Hannibal and Murdock

• The answer is ATeam.

MA or MS, but not BA or BS

• The answer is State.

Like the letter J, alphabetically

• The answer is Tenth.

Butt, to Brits

• The answer is Arse.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 8 DownFood you might cook al dente

• The answer is Pasta.

Downright

• The answer is Utter.

What the Tower of Pisa does

• The answer is Leans.

Milky coffee order

• The answer is Latte.

"I've seen better"

• The answer is Meh.

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

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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.

SAVE $10: As of Jan. 8, the Apple Pencil (USB-C) is on sale for $69 at Amazon. That's a 13% saving on the list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil (USB-C) $69.00 at Amazon
$79.00 Save $10.00 Get Deal

If you got a new iPad for Christmas, or just fancy adding a new accessory to your lineup, Amazon's Daily Deals has treated you to another bargain on the Apple Pencil (USB-C).

As of Jan. 8, you can buy this helpful tool for $69, saving you 13% on list price. This specific stylus charges via a USB-C cable and attaches to your device magnetically for easy storage. It’s designed with pixel-perfect precision, low latency, and tilt sensitivity for a natural drawing and writing experience.

SEE ALSO: 9 new gadgets from CES 2025 that you can actually buy right now

It weighs just 0.72 ounces, so it’s lightweight and comfortable to hold, as well as easy to carry around with you. It connects via Bluetooth and USB-C and requires an iPad running iPadOS 17.1 or later. Compatible iPad models include the iPad Mini A17 Pro, iPad Pro (12.9-inch, 3rd-6th generation), iPad Pro (11-inch, 1st-4th generation), iPad (10th generation), iPad Air (4th and 5th generation), and iPad mini (6th generation).

It's worth noting that this is not the latest model in the Apple Pencil range. Both the Pencil 2 and Pencil Pro have more recently been released. For a more advanced stylus, we recommend the Pro which boasts haptic feedback and magnetic charging. But for the basics, and a reduced price, you can't go wrong with this model.

Get this decent deal on Amazon now.

SAVE $70: As of Jan. 8, the Apple Watch Series 10 is on sale for $359 at Amazon. That's a saving of 16% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch 10 $359.00 at Amazon
$429.00 Save $70.00 Get Deal

The latest Apple Watch, the Series 10, was released in 2024, bringing about a great upgrade on its predecessor. Since its release, it has seen several discounts, especially over Black Friday, bringing it down to its lowest price yet. And as of Jan. 8, the Apple Watch 10 is back down to its lowest-ever price. On Amazon, you can upgrade for just $359.

The Apple Watch 10 is a great choice for both function and style. It is the thinnest Apple Watch released so far but also has the biggest and most readable display. It also introduces Apple's first-ever wide-angle OLED display, meaning the watch remains clear and sharp when looking at it quickly or from awkward angles.

SEE ALSO: 9 new gadgets from CES 2025 that you can actually buy right now

If you're looking specifically for health and fitness metrics, you'll be impressed. You get advanced health tracking including ECG readings, heart rate notifications, and ovulation estimates. In the Vitals app, you'll find detailed overnight metrics such as heart and respiratory rates, and sleep tracking. It even includes alerts for possible sleep apnea. For fitness enthusiasts, the Workout app lets you track a whole load of activities, along with tools to monitor workout intensity and aquatic tracking with depth and water temperature sensors. And with 18 hours of normal use (and fast charging that gives you 80% in 30 minutes), the watch is perfect for all lengths of activity.

Safety is also a top priority, so you can enjoy features including Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS, along with a Check-In feature that automatically updates loved ones when you reach your destination.

Head to Amazon now to grab this deal.

Good news for anyone wanting to spew hate and make the world a worse place: Meta has amended its Hateful Conduct policy to be more permissive to bad behaviour, allowing divisive and discriminatory content to thrive on its platforms. Users on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads are now allowed to call gay people "mentally ill", women "property", and entire ethnicities "diseases".

SEE ALSO: Instagram blocked LGBTQ+ content by accident, Meta claims

The tech giant made significant changes to its Hateful Conduct policy on Tuesday, lifting prohibitions against a wide range of divisive and harmful rhetoric. Notably, Meta's amended policy completely removed restrictions against dehumanising people on the basis of a "protected characteristic" by likening them to certain inanimate objects, filth, and diseases such as cancer. Users are also now permitted to state that protected characteristics don't or shouldn't exist, or are inferior.

Protected characteristics are defined by Meta as "race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religious affiliation, caste, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, [or] serious disease."

Meta further removed its previous acknowledgement that hateful conduct on its platforms "creates an environment of intimidation and exclusion, and in some cases may promote offline violence." 

Meta explicitly permits anti-LGBTQ content

Equally as notable as the restrictions Meta has removed is the content that it now explicitly allows, with harmful anti-LGBTQ rhetoric specifically permitted. In a video posted on Tuesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that the company is removing restrictions that are "out of touch with mainstream discourse." 

"We do allow allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality and common non-serious usage of words like 'weird,'" wrote Meta.

The American Psychological Association (APA) is clear that being transgender or same-sex attracted are not mental disorders, as neither cause significant distress or disability. Each was removed from the APA's official list of mental illnesses in 2012 and 1973 respectively. In fact, the APA notes that it is discrimination and lack of acceptance in society which can lead to transgender people suffering from the actual mental disorders of anxiety and depression. 

Such harmful ostracisation may often be expressed as, for example, allegations of mental illness or abnormality based on gender or sexual orientation.

"Despite the persistence of stereotypes that portray lesbian, gay, and bisexual people as disturbed, several decades of research and clinical experience have led all mainstream medical and mental health organizations in this country to conclude that these orientations represent normal forms of human experience," the APA states.

Meta's amended Hateful Conduct policy also explicitly allows content arguing that sexual orientation should preclude people from working in the military, law enforcement, or teaching, provided such arguments are based upon religious beliefs. Though at least there is such a caveat. Meta demands no such religious justification for the same discriminatory arguments based on gender.

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of LGBTQ advocacy organisation GLAAD, has stated that Meta's changes have given a "green light for people to target LGBTQ people, women, immigrants, and other marginalized groups with violence, vitriol, and dehumanizing narratives."

"With these changes, Meta is continuing to normalize anti-LGBTQ hatred for profit — at the expense of its users and true freedom of expression," said Ellis. "Fact-checking and hate speech policies protect free speech."

Meta declined to comment when reached by Mashable, nor advise whether it had consulted with any advocacy groups prior to amending its policy.

Meta aligns itself more closely with Trump in lead-up to inauguration View on Threads

These changes coincide with Meta's decision to eliminate fact-checkers and replace them with a Community Notes system. Zuckerberg claimed that fact-checkers have become "too politically biased," and that "what started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas."

As noted above, many such opinions are actively harmful and have no basis in fact. Even so, Meta seems determined to platform such content, with Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan stating in a blog post that they have been "limiting legitimate political debate and censoring too much trivial content and subjecting too many people to frustrating enforcement actions."

It appears that in Meta's estimation, subjecting users to enforcement of a conduct policy is less acceptable than subjecting them to dehumanisation. 

"We’re getting rid of a number of restrictions on topics like immigration, gender identity and gender that are the subject of frequent political discourse and debate," wrote Kaplan. "It’s not right that things can be said on TV or the floor of Congress, but not on our platforms."

Some would argue that this is more an indictment on the state of Congress than justification for more divisive, harmful content on social media. But with highly divisive Republican leader Donald Trump resuming office as the U.S. President in less than two weeks, it benefits Meta to loosen its Hateful Conduct policy and try working its way into his good graces.

"The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point toward once again prioritising speech," said Zuckerberg. "So we're going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies, and restoring free expression on our platforms."

It seems reasonable to speculate that the changes to Meta's policy may also be designed to preempt a few moderation headaches. The issue of moderation was a significant topic of debate during Trump's first term, with elected officials often making statements on social media which fell afoul of the platforms' policies. Trump himself has frequently been accused of inciting violence by posting divisive rhetoric. Even so, Meta only took the step of suspending then-President Trump from Facebook and Instagram after the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, eventually lifting his ban two years later when he was no longer in office.

Meta has been attempting to endear itself to Trump in the lead-up to his second inauguration on Jan. 20. Zuckerberg dined with the president-elect late last year, the tech giant since confirming that it had donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund. This Monday Meta announced that three new members had been elected to its board of directors — including Dana White, Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC) CEO and long-time friend and supporter of Trump.

"[Meta will] Work with President Trump to push back against foreign governments going after American companies to censor more," Zuckerburg declared Tuesday on Threads. "The US has the strongest constitutional protections for free expression in the world and the best way to defend against the trend of government overreach on censorship is with the support of the US government."

Zuckerburg further announced that Meta is moving its trust and safety and content moderation teams out of California, with U.S. content review now to be performed in Texas. The CEO claimed that "this will help remove the concern that biased employees are overly censoring content," though did not explain why he apparently believes that people in Texas are less biased than people in California.

UPDATE: Jan. 8, 2025, 8:53 p.m. AEDT This article has been updated with Meta's response to Mashable.

CES loves a flying car, doesn't it?

At this year's consumer tech showcase, we took a look at Xpeng Aero HT's Land Aircraft Carrier, and got inside the cockpit of the company's modular eVTOL (that's electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing for the uninitiated). An electric vehicle that's equally at home cruising the highway or soaring through the sky? Groundbreaking, sure — but also peak CES.

SEE ALSO: CES 2025 highlights: What we've seen so far

Let’s clear one thing up: the massive, six-wheeled EV isn't technically a flying car. Xpeng's so-called "Mothership"— a minivan-like vehicle that gives off strong Cybertruck vibes — doesn't leave the ground. What it does do, though, is carry a two-seater eVTOL aircraft that actually takes to the skies. Still, it's undeniably cool. After chatting with co-founder and CEO Wang Tan, it’s obvious that Xpeng is all-in on its mission to give drivers the "freedom to fly."

Behold, the "Mothership" that holds the eVTOL. Credit: Emmett Smith / Mashable And it's open! Credit: Emmett Smith / Mashable

Because the Mothership is a near-final prototype, we couldn't take a proper peek inside. But we did get to sit in the two-person aircraft itself, where Tan walked us through the basics. Xpeng's goal is to make flying as simple as possible. The controls are minimal — a one-handed joystick for maneuvering, automated flight systems for short, self-guided trips, and backup button controls conveniently placed on the center console.

Xpeng Aero HT's modular eVTOL seen at CES. Credit: Emmett Smith / Mashable

But before you start dreaming of zipping through city skylines, pump the brakes. Xpeng envisions the eVTOL as more of a recreational escape, far from crowded urban spaces. And let’s be real—most drivers can barely handle two dimensions, let alone three. Oh, and you’ll need a Light Sport Aircraft license too.

The Mothership and eVTOL combo boasts a combined range of 1,000 kilometers — just over 620 miles. But here’s the kicker: the EV isn't just a ride; it's a mobile charging station for the eVTOL. Together, they form Xpeng's ambitious "phase 1" in the quest to make personal flight a reality. Phase 2? A car that actually flies.

So far, Xpeng claims over 3,000 intent orders and plans to start shipping in China by 2026. As for the price tag? Brace yourself — the Land Aircraft Carrier is expected to land somewhere around $300,000.

Hey, nobody ever said the future is cheap.

Mashable is on the ground live at CES 2025! We’re covering all the wildest and most important developments this week, so please keep checking back in with us. Want to submit a product you represent for our teams’ consideration as we identify the Best of CES? Here’s more info on how to do it.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro on your PC for just £16 (reg. £159.49) through 12 January — an 89% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Windows 11 Pro: Lifetime license £16.00
£159.49 Save £143.49 Get Deal

Did you hear? Microsoft gave their latest and greatest operating system, Windows 11 Pro, an all-new 2024 feature update — enhancing Copilot AI, speeding up the platform code, and improving phone integrations. If you’ve been holding off on upgrading, now might be the time.

In this new year, new PC deal, you can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for just £16. As an added bonus, each purchase gives you a license for two PCs.

What’s inside Microsoft’s OS update

Many people upgrade simply to get the new user design. Windows 11 looks much more futuristic than other versions, with new app icons, rounded corners, and an improved bottom taskbar. It almost looks like macOS.

You also get Copilot, the AI-powered assistant, fully integrated. This AI uses a custom version of GPT-4, so it’s like getting the paid version of ChatGPT included on your PC for help answering questions or getting help with basic tasks. It can even summarise web pages or change computer settings for you.

Unique features not found on the Home version

You’re getting Windows 11 Pro, not Windows 11 Home, which is free for most users. This means you get extra features:

• BitLocker device encryption: Keeps your data safe by encrypting your drive, so your files stay private if your device is lost or stolen.

• Remote desktop access: Access your PC from anywhere, letting you work remotely on files and software.

• Azure AD: Securely manage app and file access across devices.

• Hyper-V: Run virtual machines to test software safely without affecting your main system.

Install Windows 11 Pro for £16 (reg. £159.49) before this price drop ends on 12 January at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites like xHamster with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

The online world might seem like a open place that you can freely navigate, but it's actually full of restrictions. These can be frustrating, but there is something you can do to protect your online freedom.

There will be many locations around the world that will restrict your access to certain sites, including porn sites like xHamster. But all is not lost. If you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like xHamster from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock xHamster for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions to secure access to porn sites like xHamster from anywhere in the world. It sounds complicated, but it's really not.

Unblock xHamster by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to xHamster

4. Access xHamster from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-year subscription + 3 months free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling to a location without access to your favorite sites.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like xHamster, 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

• Fast streaming 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 also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock xHamster for free with ExpressVPN.