Feed aggregator

How to watch the 2025 U.S. Open (Golf) online for free

Mashable - Thu, 06/12/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Watch featured groups from the 2025 U.S. Open for free on usopen.com. Access these free live streams from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There is something truly beautiful about canceling all your plans and settling down for a marathon session of watching golf. We're not sure exactly what happens to a human when you're well into your second day of non-stop golf, but it's close to total nirvana. You can feel yourself ascend above all your problems. Only golf exists in this dimension, and its comforting embrace is all you'll ever need.

With that in mind, it's time to start making plans for the 2025 U.S. Open. You've got a number of options when it comes to watching all the action, but it's important to note that you can follow key events without spending anything.

If you want to watch the 2025 U.S. Open for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the U.S. Open?

The U.S. Open is an annual open national championship of golf in the United States. It is the third of the four men's major golf championships.

The defending champion is Bryson DeChambeau.

When is the 2025 U.S. Open?

The 2025 U.S. Open is the 125th edition of the event. This year's event takes place on June 12-15 at the Oakmont Country Club.

How to watch the 2025 U.S. Open for free

Featured groups from the 2025 U.S. Open are available to live stream for free on usopen.com.

If you are unable to access these free live streams in your location, you may need to use 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 unblock free live streams on usopen.com from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2025 U.S. Open 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 U.S.

  4. Visit usopen.com

  5. Live stream the 2025 U.S. Open for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2025 U.S. Open before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to the best free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for golf?

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

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

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

  • Fast connection speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A 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 only $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2025 U.S. Open for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Czech Republic U21 vs. England U21 online for free

Mashable - Thu, 06/12/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Czech Republic vs. England in U21 Euro 2025 for free on Channel 4. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The first round of U21 Euro 2025 includes some fascinating matchups, including Czech Republic vs. England. All eyes will be on the defending champions to see if they can overcome Czechia and progress from Group B.

If you want to watch Czech Republic vs. England in U21 Euro 2025 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Czech Republic U21 vs. England U21?

Czech Republic vs. England in U21 Euro 2025 kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on June 12. This fixture takes place at the MOL Aréna.

How to watch Czech Republic U21 vs. England U21 for free

Czech Republic vs. England in U21 Euro 2025 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 service 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 on Channel 4 from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Czech Republic vs. England in U21 Euro 2025 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. Stream Czech Republic vs. England in U21 Euro 2025 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 watch Czech Republic vs. England in U21 Euro 2025 without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream U21 Euro 2025 before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

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 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 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Czech Republic vs. England in U21 Euro 2025 for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Finland U21 vs. Netherlands U21 online for free

Mashable - Thu, 06/12/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Finland vs. Netherlands in U21 Euro 2025 for free on Channel 4 Sport YouTube. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The first round of U21 Euro 2025 includes some fascinating matchups, including Finland vs. Netherlands. The Netherlands are always an interesting team in these tournaments, and they'll be expected to progress out of Group D.

If you want to watch Finland vs. Netherlands in U21 Euro 2025 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Finland U21 vs. Netherlands U21?

Finland vs. Netherlands in U21 Euro 2025 kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on June 11. This fixture takes place at the Štadión pod Dubňom.

How to watch Finland U21 vs. Netherlands U21 for free

Finland vs. Netherlands in U21 Euro 2025 is available to live stream for free on Channel 4 Sport YouTube.

Channel 4 Sport YouTube is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service 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 on Channel 4 Sport YouTube from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Finland vs. Netherlands in U21 Euro 2025 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 Sport YouTube

  5. Stream Finland vs. Netherlands in U21 Euro 2025 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 watch Finland vs. Netherlands in U21 Euro 2025 without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream U21 Euro 2025 before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for YouTube?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Channel 4 Sport YouTube, 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 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 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Finland vs. Netherlands in U21 Euro 2025 for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Germany U21 vs. Slovenia U21 online for free

Mashable - Thu, 06/12/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Germany vs. Slovenia in U21 Euro 2025 for free on 4seven. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The first round of U21 Euro 2025 matchups delivered a lot of action and quality from some of the best young players in the world, and we're expecting more of the same as the tournament continues. Germany vs. Slovenia is a particularly interesting matchup. Germany will be expected to progress into the knockout rounds, but Slovenia will be a tough task.

If you want to watch Germany vs. Slovenia in U21 Euro 2025 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Germany U21 vs. Slovenia U21?

Germany vs. Slovenia in U21 Euro 2025 kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on June 12. This fixture takes place at the Štadión pod Zoborom.

How to watch Germany U21 vs. Slovenia U21 for free

Germany vs. Slovenia in U21 Euro 2025 is available to live stream for free on 4seven.

4seven is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service 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 on 4seven from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Germany vs. Slovenia in U21 Euro 2025 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 4seven

  5. Stream Germany vs. Slovenia in U21 Euro 2025 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 watch Germany vs. Slovenia in U21 Euro 2025 without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream U21 Euro 2025 before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 4seven?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 4seven, 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 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 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Germany vs. Slovenia in U21 Euro 2025 for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Ukraine U21 vs. Denmark U21 online for free

Mashable - Thu, 06/12/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Live stream Ukraine vs. Denmark in U21 Euro 2025 for free on 4seven. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There were a number of really intriguing games in the first round of U21 Euro 2025 matchups, and we're hoping for more of the same as Ukraine take on Denmark. Group D is there for the taking in this exciting tournament, so every team will be desperate to make a positive start.

If you want to watch Ukraine vs. Denmark in U21 Euro 2025 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Ukraine U21 vs. Denmark U21?

Ukraine vs. Denmark in U21 Euro 2025 kicks off at 5 p.m. BST on June 12. This fixture takes place at the Futbal Tatran Aréna.

How to watch Ukraine U21 vs. Denmark U21 for free

Ukraine vs. Denmark in U21 Euro 2025 is available to live stream for free on 4seven.

4seven is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming service 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 on 4seven from anywhere in the world.

Lve stream Ukraine vs. Denmark in U21 Euro 2025 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 4seven

  5. Stream Ukraine vs. Denmark in U21 Euro 2025 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 watch Ukraine vs. Denmark in U21 Euro 2025 without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream U21 Euro 2025 before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for 4seven?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 4seven, 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 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 (including money-back guarantee).

Live stream Ukraine vs. Denmark in U21 Euro 2025 for free with ExpressVPN.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 12, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 22:00

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.

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

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.

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

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's The Mini crossword answers for June 12 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 huddle up

  • Green: To talk about someone

  • Blue: Involve pointy objects

  • Purple: Ways to address someone

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: Getting cozy

  • Green: Gossiping

  • Blue: Engaging in an activity with pins or needles

  • Purple: Starting with titles

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 #732 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Getting cozy: CUDDLING, HUGGING, SNUGGLING, SPOONING

  • Gossiping: BUZZING, DISHING, SPILLING, WHISPERING

  • Engaging in an activity with pins or needles: ACUPUNCTURING, BOWLING, SEWING, WRESTLING

  • Starting with titles: DOCTOR, LORD, MISS, SIRING

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 June 12

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.

NYT Strands hints, answers for June 12

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 22:00

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 12 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 12 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Gone fishing

The words are fishing-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are things needed for a fishing trip.

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 Tackle Box

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for June 12
  • Lure

  • Swivel

  • Hook

  • Reel

  • Tackle Box

  • Sinker

  • Bobber

  • Line

  • Scale

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.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 12, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 22:00

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for June 11 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's The Mini crossword answers for June 12, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

An attractive woman.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter V.

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...

VIXEN.

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 June 12

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.

Hurdle hints and answers for June 12, 2025

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 22:00

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

Lightheaded.

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

WOOZY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A glimmer.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for June 11, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SPARK

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A thread.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for June 12 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for June 12, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

FIBER

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A popular hedgehog.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for June 12 Hurdle Word 4 answer

SONIC

Final Hurdle hint

Wide open.

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

AGAPE

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

A bottomless pit of plagiarism: Disney takes on AI image generator Midjourney in scathing lawsuit

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 19:14

In a lawsuit filed Wednesday in a Los Angeles federal court, entertainment giants Disney and Comcast’s Universal have teamed up to take on Midjourney, the generative AI image platform, accusing it of copyright infringement on a massive scale.

The at-times blunt lawsuit doesn’t mince words, arguing that Midjourney is a “bottomless pit of plagiarism.”

The complaint claims Midjourney effectively raided the studios’ libraries, illegally training its AI to generate uncanny recreations of iconic characters like Star Wars’ Darth Vader and Frozen’s Elsa, without so much as a licensing deal or permission. NBCUniversal’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Kim Harris, told Reuters the case is about protecting “the hard work of all the artists whose work entertains and inspires us and the significant investment we make in our content.”

By helping itself to Plaintiffs’ copyrighted works, and then distributing images (and soon videos) that blatantly incorporate and copy Disney’s and Universal’s famous characters—without investing a penny in their creation—Midjourney is the quintessential copyright free-rider and a bottomless pit of plagiarism,” the suit argues, according to a copy of the suit obtained by Deadline. “Piracy is piracy, and whether an infringing image or video is made with AI or another technology does not make it any less infringing. Midjourney’s conduct misappropriates Disney’s and Universal’s intellectual property and threatens to upend the bedrock incentives of U.S. copyright law that drive American leadership in movies, television, and other creative arts.”

Mashable recently tested the top AI image generators, and our testing revealed that Midjourney readily produced deepfake images featuring a recognizable Disney character. In fact, every single AI image generator we tested produced a similar deepfake with little to no resistance.

Midjourney’s legal defense isn’t off to a promising start, either. The suit cites a 2022 Forbes interview in which Midjourney founder David Holz casually admitted that the company doesn’t bother getting consent from living artists or anyone whose work remains under copyright. The quote, now immortalized in the court filing, could come back to haunt the AI company.

"There isn’t really a way to get a hundred million images and know where they’re coming from," the founder told Forbes. "It would be cool if images had metadata embedded in them about the copyright owner or something. But that's not a thing; there's not a registry."

This isn’t Midjourney’s first brush with legal heat. A year ago, a federal judge in California found that a group of 10 artists suing Midjourney, Stability AI, and others had plausibly argued their copyrighted work was scraped, stored, and potentially monetized without approval. That lawsuit is still making its way through the courts, as are similar suits against OpenAI and Meta. While Disney and Universal are some of the first Hollywood studios to take on the AI industry, the New York Times, along with a growing list of news organizations, has sued OpenAI.

For now, the issue of copyright law and AI training remains in a legal grey area, which means the Disney and Universal lawsuit could have big implications for the wider generative AI field.

Founded in 2021, Midjourney makes money through paid subscriptions and, according to the studios, brought in $300 million in revenue last year.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Would The Life of Chuck cast and director Mike Flanagan open the death door?

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 17:49

The Life of Chuck is a story of life, love, dance, and death. Adapted from a Stephen King novella by horror auteur Mike Flanagan (Midnight Mass, House of Usher), the new film brandishes a star-studded cast including Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mia Sara, Benjamin Pajak, Annalise Basso, and Mark Hamill. Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko spoke to the lot about one particularly eerie element of this critically heralded film.

In The Life of Chuck, the titular character, Chuck Krantz, discovers there's a door in his childhood home that, if opened, reveals a premonition of death. It could be that of a loved one or your own. So, if presented with such a terrible temptation, would you open the door?

Flanagan was quick to admit he would, saying, "I wouldn't be able to help it!" Gillan called it "the ultimate spoiler" before deciding "my answer is no to that." Ejiofor, who plays her ex-husband in the film, agreed. "If there's nothing you can do about it," he explained, "Then why?"

Benjamin Pajak, who plays a young Chuck opposite his onscreen grandfather Mark Hamill, was torn, suspecting it would depend on the moment of this temptation.

Hiddleston, who plays the grown Chuck, mused, "The challenge is not to open the door, but to live with what's behind the door. Which is that none of us are getting out alive."

Hear the full answers from the cast in the video above.

The Life of Chuck is now playing in theaters everywhere.

Future of retail? Robot-run bodegas take over L.A.

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 15:08

At the recent opening of Los Angeles’s newest rail station, just a few miles from LAX, politicians and members of the media gawked at the new train platforms, escalators, elevators, and a gleaming piece of art that hung over the open-air, elevated mezzanine. Downstairs from all the shiny new infrastructure, a different component of the station — a fully automated convenience store that utilizes robots to dispense sodas, snacks, and sundries to customers — elicited numerous ooohs and aaahs.

Called VenHub, the bright blue “Smart Store” operates 24 hours a day without human employees and is only accessible via a downloadable app. Once an order is placed, robots pick up the items with suction cups or finger-like grippers and deposit them in delivery windows. An alert on the app lets you know your purchase is ready, and a QR code opens the window.

VenHub CEO Shahan Ohanessian tells Mashable that the robots, named Barb and Peter after two of his friends, are designed as co-pilots that assist each other.

"If Peter’s not feeling well because of a software issue, he’ll take a rest and Barb takes over," Ohanessian says.

Water, soda, iced coffee, chips, nuts, fruit, and candy are all available at VenHubs, as are non-food items like toothpaste, Tylenol, tampons, razors, Emergen-C, and even earpods and phone chargers. VenHub’s lack of human labor at the kiosks appears to translate to lower costs for patrons, with, for example, a Fiji water bottle selling for $1.39, a Starbucks Frappuccino going for $1.89, Nature Valley granola bars priced at $4.99, and even a USB cord selling for $5.99.

Ohanessian acknowledges that his product replaces human jobs but also believes it creates new ones. In addition to employees managing the robots and automation, human workers restock the VenHubs when needed, he says.

"The store has a lot of AI and technology behind it," Ohanessian says, "[The tech will] tell [company headquarters], 'Hey, we need more water or yogurt.'"

VenHub's technology extends to its security protections, which include cameras, sensors, and bulletproof glass.

Ohanessian, a former Amazon logistics executive who began developing the idea for VenHub four years ago, says his kiosks are the future of small stores, not just in busy places like big city airports, but also in spots lacking retail options.

"There are some locations [being considered] in Texas where it’s a small community, but they just don’t have a convenience store," Ohanessian says.

Other VenHubs are currently scattered around greater Los Angeles, where VenHub is headquartered, but the company has expansions planned for Las Vegas and the East Coast (the company's website proclaims the kiosks are "engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions"). Ohanessian also hopes to make them ubiquitous throughout the nation's airports, and to partner with Los Angeles's transit agency to add more VenHubs throughout the growing (and mostly amenity-free) rail system.

"We're witnessing history, the first airport to see the first unattended smart store," Ohanessian said as his robots deposited potato chips and bottles of water. "That’s where the world is going in the years to come."

Liquid Glass is dividing the internet: Which side are you on?

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 14:09

At WWDC 2025, Apple's annual developers conference, the company debuted a bold new look for Apple software: Liquid Glass.

Apple calls this its "broadest design update ever." Liquid Glass will arrive with the fall launch of iOS 26 (see also: macOS Tahoe 26, visionOS 26, iPadOS 26, et al), a free software update that delivers a suite of new features and updates to iPhones. So far, most people are understandably focused on how Liquid Glass will change their iPhone, but the new look will affect most Apple devices.

WWDC ran through iPhone updates at a rapid clip, though Liquid Glass was the clear headline. Of course, a lot of Apple users are still catching up on everything we learned at WWDC 2025. Though iOS 26 and Liquid Glass don't officially land until the fall, the developer's beta is available now, which has allowed early adopters to share screengrabs and previews of Liquid Glass on social media. Apple has also shared previews of the new look and customization options.

Thi sis what your home screen could look like with Liquid Glass. Credit: Apple

And the reactions so far have been extremely divided.

Liquid Glass is Apple's biggest redesign in over 10 years, and while it maintains Apple's signature aesthetic, it introduces new animations and personalization options. Translucent elements are the key characteristic of Liquid Glass, and widgets and other on-screen elements now bend and refract light like glass. According to an Apple press release, "This translucent material reflects and refracts its surroundings, while dynamically transforming to help bring greater focus to content, delivering a new level of vitality across controls, navigation, app icons, widgets, and more."

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

At first glance, many Mashable tech reporters thought the new design looked beautiful, particularly the new clear mode. In clear mode, all of your widgets and icons become translucent, creating a feeling of openness and extra space. It's the same effect you get by adding a mirror to a room. Users will also be able to customize the appearance of Liquid Glass elements in Icon Composer, a feature available on iOS, macOS, and watchOS.

A preview of the Icon Composer settings for Liquid Glass. Credit: Apple

However, while Liquid Glass has advocates among early adopters, it has also attracted some harsh critics, who say the new design language creates confusing clashes between layers that affect readability.

In particular, critics have been focused on one aspect of the iPhone's Liquid Glass display: the appearance of Control Center. This is the swipe-down window that contains quick access to settings and utilities like Bluetooth, your calculator and flashlight, and screen brightness. And in clear mode, the design can be undeniably awkward. (Remember that these types of videos and images can be faked, so take social media posts like this with a grain of salt.)

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

Remember: this is a developer's beta. The final look of Liquid Glass will almost certainly change before the fall launch. In fact, identifying bugs like this is the whole purpose of a beta.

But don't expect nuance from social media conversations. Some users say Liquid Glass would have Steve Jobs rolling in his grave, while others are equally sure Liquid Glass is the natural successor to Jobs' vision for Apple design.

So, are you on Team Clear? We've gathered some of the top reactions from X, where Liquid Glass is a big topic of debate.

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

FDA wants to use AI to speed up drug approval process

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 13:58

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking to AI to solve the problem of lengthy approval processes, as the Trump administration invests in even more automation amid thousands of federal worker layoffs.

The administration wants to “radically increase efficiency” using the burgeoning technology, according to a new article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) outlining the agency's priorities. The department's plan includes using artificial intelligence to examine device and drug applications, which would reportedly shave years off of the approval process, as well as AI computational modeling to reduce animal testing. The plan also proposes requiring just one major patient study to facilitate approvals, part of an overhaul of "legacy" processes.

The article cites the success of COVID-19's Operation Warp Speed as precedent for diminished release timelines, but many professionals remain skeptical. "Rethinking our approach to AI, balancing safety and accuracy while fueling innovation, is a leading FDA priority... The FDA and our great medical profession should unite to consider fresh new approaches to the evolving health topics facing the US today." the report reads. "The FDA will take conflict of interest seriously."

SEE ALSO: OpenAI launches new, smarter model. Meet o3-pro.

The article was authored by Vinay Prasad, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), and Commissioner of Food and Drugs Martin A. Makary. Prasad and Makary have backed the department overhaul touted by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Kennedy has been on the offensive against the nation's scientists and physicians, labelling the FDA "a sock puppet of industry," clearing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s vaccine advisory committee, and pushing for a generative AI overhaul.

In May, the FDA launched its first AI-assisted scientific review pilot, intended to "reduce the amount of non-productive busywork" for FDA scientists and subject matter experts, according to Makary. That same month, experts admonished a report by Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again initiative that was allegedly riddled with fake studies and incorrect citations possibly produced by artificial intelligence.

At $250 off, the Best of CES award-winning Asus Zenbook A14 is down to its lowest price ever

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 13:51

SAVE $250: The Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) usually retails for $999.99, but Best Buy has it on sale for just $749.99 (or 25% off) as of June 11. That's a new record low.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $749.99 at Best Buy
$999.99 Save $250 Get Deal

Best Buy has been working hard to offset the Asus ZenBook A14's $100 tariff price hike this spring. Weeks after slashing its new $999 MSRP by $200 in late May, the retailer currently has it on sale for $250 off. That discount brings it down to just $749.99 — a 25% savings and a new all-time low.

One might recall the Zenbook A14's debut at CES 2025, where it took home our Best of CES award in the laptop category for its unique construction and long battery life. Its matte-texture chassis is made from a magnesium-aluminum alloy called "Ceraluminum" that's durable, scratch-resistant, and impervious to fingerprints, but it's no clunker. The Zabriskie Beige base configuration featured in Best Buy's deal weighs only 2.4 pounds, making it a third of a pound lighter than the new 13-inch M4 Apple MacBook Air. Other design highlights include a 14-inch OLED display and a gesture-controlled trackpad.

SEE ALSO: Best Windows laptops for 2025: Our top pick lasts longer than the M4 MacBook Pros

As for that battery life, Asus has rated this Copilot+ PC at up to 32 hours per charge. Mashable has yet to put it through our official battery life test — stay tuned — but if it can get within eight hours of that advertised number, it'll be the longest-lasting laptop we've ever tried (dethroning the 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 7).

The base ZenBook A14 is powered by a Snapdragon X Plus processor that scored on par with previous-gen MacBook Airs' M3 chips when I ran it through Primate Labs' Geekbench 6 CPU benchmark. It comes with 16GB of memory and 512GB of SSD storage, which are ideal specs for a daily driver.

The best tech deals to shop this week

This tool is a shortcut to smarter, faster work with AI — and it’s A$154 for life

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 13:34

TL;DR: Streamline your workflow with instant access to multiple AI tools in one place with 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan lifetime subscription for just A$154 (reg. A$834).

Opens in a new window Credit: 1minAI 1min.AI Advanced Business Plan Lifetime Subscription AU$154
AU$834 Save AU$680 Get Deal

Tired of juggling multiple AI tools? 1min.AI brings ChatGPT, Gemini, Midjourney, and more into one easy-to-use platform that lets you take advantage of their individual strengths without the chaos of constantly switching tabs. And right now, a lifetime subscription to 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan can be yours for only A$154 (reg. A$834).

Put AI to work for you with this handy platform

Overwhelmed by AI? If you’re new to this booming technology field, keeping up with all the various platforms and their individual perks can be tough. That’s where 1min.AI really shines, consolidating them all in one convenient spot. Create images, optimize your website, or get help with text-based tasks on one platform, as 1min.AI takes advantage of platforms like Google AI, Meta AI, Gemini, Mistral, ChatGPT, and more.

This lifetime subscription to the Advanced Business Plan is an excellent option for helping you tackle work tasks. You’ll gain unlimited access to the prompt library, brand voice options, storage, and collaboration features for up to 20 colleagues.

An Advanced Business Plan also includes 4,000,000 monthly credits, which is enough to generate up to 1,112,500 words, create 1,186 images, upscale 741 photos, remove backgrounds from 74 images, transcribe more than 14,000 seconds of audio, and produce up to 37 videos each month.

Need help with SEO? You can research up to 5,933 SEO keywords per month with this plan. And if you need more credits, it’s easy to earn them — just visit the app, leave a review, or refer a friend.

Let AI help you take a load off with 1min.AI’s Advanced Business Plan lifetime subscription, now only A$154 (reg. A$834).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Microsoft Office still delivers — and it’s only $30 for life right now

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 13:07

TL;DR: Get a productivity boost with Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows, now just $29.97 (reg. $229) for life.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows $29.97
$229 Save $199.03 Get Deal

Remember Microsoft Office? It’s still around, and for good reason — it’s still packed with powerful tools that professionals rely on. It’s filled with apps that have stood the test of time, and some newbies that can really help you manage your workflow more efficiently.

Right now, you can secure a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for just $29.97 (reg. $229).

Work smarter with this affordable Microsoft Office deal

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 equips your PC with essential tools to boost productivity. It outfits your PC with seven apps ready for everything from professional projects to personal organization.

Draft a document with Word, set up a budget with Excel, create a killer presentation with PowerPoint, and knock out some work emails with Outlook. You’ll also get access to newer additions like OneNote, Publisher, and Access. This license gives you lifetime access, with no monthly subscription fees required.

Don’t let the 2019 label fool you — this version remains powerful and modern. It’s actually been redesigned and offers improved cloud connectivity and enhanced features. You’ll get access to new presentation tools in PowerPoint, new analysis capabilities in Excel, and updated email and contact management features in Outlook.

After purchase, you’ll receive instant access to download and install the full suite directly on your PC. You need to be running Windows 10 or 11.

Give your PC an upgrade with this Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows, now just $29.97 (reg. $229).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

The TheraGun Relief is on sale for under $140 at Amazon — and it arrives by Fathers Day

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 13:02

SAVE $30: The TheraGun Relief massage gun is on sale at Amazon for $139.99, down from the list price at Therabody of $169.99. That's an 18% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Therabody TheraGun Relief $139.99 at Amazon
$169.99 Save $30 Get Deal

Some dads have it all, which means finding a unique and thoughtful gift can be nearly impossible. If you're stumped on a Father's Day gift but need something quickly for the fitness fanatic, check out this deal at Amazon.

As of June 11, the TheraGun Relief massage gun is $139.99 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $169.99 listed at Therabody. That's a savings of $30 from an 18% discount. And if you snag this deal soon, the TheraGun will arrive in time for Father's Day.

A percussive massage gun can be a huge relief for dads (or anyone) who deals with muscle soreness or back pain. The lightweight TheraGun Relief aims to soothe aches and pains with an intuitive design that's easy to use. Plus, you can follow along with guided routines in the Therabody app.

SEE ALSO: Home Depot is running a massive Father’s Day Sale — get the best deals on cordless power tools

The TheraGun Relief comes with three massage attachments that come with specific purposes. The Dampener attachment is great for low-impact therapy on sensitive areas like the feet or around joints and bones. The standard Ball attachment is designed for whole-body relief, and the Thumb attachment is meant to get those hard-to-reach small areas like trigger points in the back and stubborn muscle knots.

Instead of gifting dad another set of whiskey stones, gift him the wellness-centric TheraGun Relief. It'll come in handy after a trip to the gym, a red-eye flight, or that upcoming golf tournament. But be sure to order it soon to make sure it arrives in time for Sunday.

The best tech deals to shop this week

Heres how you can watch the new season of The Bear for free

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 12:52

FREE STREAMING: T-Mobile customers can stream The Bear and other shows for free with its recently launched 'Experience Beyond' plan.

Opens in a new window Credit: T-Mobile Experience Beyond $170 at T-Mobile
$230 Save $60 Get Deal

The new season of The Bear is set to premiere on June 25, and if you'd rather not add another streaming subscription to your budget, you might want to look at your phone plan. T-Mobile is bundling a number of streaming services with its new plans, making it a great time to check your perks.

SEE ALSO: 'The Bear' Season 4, 'Daredevil: Born Again,' and more revealed in Disney+ 2025 preview

T-Mobile is continuing its popular "Hulu on Us" offer, which was previously available to Go5G Next customers, and now includes it with the new Experience Beyond plan. This gets you Hulu (with ads) so you can keep up with Carmy and the crew. The plan also includes Netflix Standard with ads, Apple TV+, and MLS Season Pass. That’s around $35 worth of streaming services at no extra charge.

The Experience Beyond plan is currently offered at $170/month, with discounts available for autopay, veterans, and first responders. If that's a bit steep, the Experience More plan at $140/month still includes Netflix and Apple TV+.

If you're looking for a more affordable route, T-Mobile's prepaid brand has a solid offer. The Metro Flex Unlimited Plus plan runs for $60/month and includes a full Amazon Prime membership. That gives you access to Prime Video hits and thousands of other movies and shows.

The best tech deals to shop this week

Splurge on a Samsung QN990F 8K TV and get an $800 projector for free

Mashable - Wed, 06/11/2025 - 12:45

GET A FREE PROJECTOR: As of June 11, buy a Samsung QN990F 8K TV at Samsung for $6,499.99 and get a free Samsung Freestyle Projector (2nd gen) with purchase ($800 value).

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung QN990F 8K TV $6,499.99 at Samsung
Get a free Samsung Freestyle Projector (2nd Gen) with purchase. Get Deal

What's a great reason to snag a new TV? When you can get a nice little freebie with it, of course. If you're ready to upgrade your home's entertainment hub with a new screen, now's the time to do it with a massive TV from Samsung. If you decide to splurge, you can add another goodie to your purchase in the form of a projector, all available from Samsung right now as a special bundle deal.

As of June 11, buy a Samsung QN990F 8K TV at Samsung for $6,499.99 and get a free Samsung Freestyle Projector (2nd Gen) with purchase ($800 value). To add the projector to your purchase, scroll down to the "Enhance your experience" section of the store page and ensure the "Get The Freestyle 2nd Gen With Gaming Hub on us" option is highlighted. It should show "$0", discounted from $799.99. Click the "Add" button and your cart should be updated with both items.

SEE ALSO: Score a 75-inch Hisense Smart Fire TV at its lowest price ever at Amazon

The Samsung QN990F TV is an 8K display with an 120Hz refresh rate that can operate at 240Hz in 4K resolution to improve its performance. You can opt for the 65-inch, 75-inch, 85-inch, and 98-inch models to be eligible for this deal, so you can choose the size that best fits your home or the room you're putting it in.

This TV is no slouch in the visuals department, as you can likely tell by the price. It offers HDR10+ for deeper hues, darker colors, and excellent picture quality. With support for virtual 3D surround sound, Dolby Atmos, and object tracking, it's also adept at helping you to feel like you're really part of the action.

The Samsung Freestyle (2nd gen) is a smart projector that's meant to take up as little space as possible while still offering a great alternative to your TV display. It has 180 degrees of rotation so you can figure out the best place for it in your home or outside, and can be adjusted to offer up to a 100-inch display. It offers up to three hours of battery so you can watch your favorite shows and movies, support for streaming apps, and additional smart features to help you watch and share content at your leisure.

Best TV Deals

Pages

Subscribe to Page Integrity, Inc. aggregator