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Today's Connections: Sports Edition will be easier for people who like the SEC.

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. The sports 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 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 before 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: 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: Animals in the SEC

• Green: Fantasy

• Blue: QBs

• Purple: Hidden WNBA teams

Here are today's Connections: Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: An SEC Athlete

• Green: Fantasy Football Apps

• Blue: NFL QBs Drafted in Second Round

• Purple: Ends in a WNBA Team

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 #731 is...

What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?

• An SEC Athlete: BULLDOG, GATOR, RAZORBACK, TIGER

• Fantasy Football Apps: ESPN, FANTRAX, SLEEPER, YAHOO

• NFL QBs Drafted in Second Round: DALTON, HURTS, LOCK, SHOUGH

• Ends in a WNBA Team: DAYDREAM, GRIMACES, HUSKY, THUNDERSTORM

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 catalog.

Released in August 2025, 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 on to 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 with 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 September 28, 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 September 28, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for September 28 Pips

Less than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.

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

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

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-3, placed vertically; 5-2, placed vertically.

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

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

Medium difficulty hints, answers for September 28 Pips

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

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

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

Greater Than (10): Everything in this space must be greater than 10. The answer is 5-3, placed vertically; 4-3, placed vertically.

Greater Than (18): Everything in this space must be greater than 18. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 4-5, placed vertically; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Less than (8): Everything in this space must be less than 8. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 6-3, placed horizontally.

Hard difficulty hints, answers for September 28 Pips

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

Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically.

Number (7): Everything in this red space must add up to 7. The answer is 4-0, placed vertically; 1-3, placed vertically.

Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically; 2-4, placed horizontally.

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

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

Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically; 2-2, placed horizontally.

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

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

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

Greater Than (9): Everything in this space must be greater than 9. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally.

Greater Than (14): Everything in this space must be greater than 14. The answer is 5-4, placed horizontally; 3-6, 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.

Looking for spoiler-free NYT Connections hints or just wondering why Connections is trending today? We've got what you need to understand the clues for today's puzzle without spoiling any of the answers.

Of course, Mashable has also provided daily hints and answers for Connections, Wordle, and Strands for years, so we can help you if that's also what you need.

While we are focused more on meanings than hints in this story, sometimes learning that many of the words have completely unrelated meanings is a clue in and of itself. Connections frequently includes clues that involve words within words and other visual clues.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for September 28, 2026 Challenger meaning

A person or thing that competes against a current titleholder to win a prize.

Charger meaning

A device used to put electrical energy back into a rechargeable battery..

Durango meaning

A state in northern Mexico.

Viper meaning

A venomous snake with long fangs.

Horseradish meaning

A perennial root vegetable from the mustard family.

Lemon meaning

A round, yellow and sour citrus fruit.

Mignonette meaning

A tangy condiment made with vinegar, shallots and black pepper. It's typically served with oysters.

Tabasco meaning

An American brand of hot sauce made from tabasco chili peppers, salt and vinegar.

Bamboo meaning

A tall, fast-growing tropical plant with hard, hallow stems.

Celery meaning

A crunchy green vegetable with long, fibrous stems.

Corn meaning

A tall cereal plant that produces edible yellow kernels.

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Wheat meaning

A cereal grain from grass.

Arkansans meaning

A Midwestern US stat, known as "The Natural State."

Chihuahua meaning

A tiny dog breed.

Possesses meaning

To have or to own something.

Springing meaning

Jumping or moving quickly.

Have you learned the meanings and still want the things? Check out the hints and answers for today's NYT Connections puzzle.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're a pescatarian.

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 Pips hints, answers for September 28, 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: Jack and the bean___

• Green: Seafood

• Blue: Cars

• Purple: Philosophical symbols

Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Things with stalks

• Green: Oyster condiments

• Blue: Dodge models

• Purple: Three letters plus repeated trigrams

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 #1204 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Things with stalks: BAMBOO, CELERY, CORN, WHEAT

• Oyster condiments: HORSERADISH, LEMON, MIGNONETTE, TABASCO

• Dodge models: CHALLENGER, CHARGER, DURANGO, VIPER

• Three letters plus repeated trigrams: ARKANSNS, CHIHUAHUA, POSSESSES, SPRINGING

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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 will be easy if you're a creative.

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 September 28, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: A form of art

The words are related to art.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe creative mediums.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

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NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Sculpture.

NYT Strands word list for September 28

• Soapstone

• Glass

• Marble

• Sculpture

• Wood

• Clay

• Bronze

• Steel

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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're a tree hugger.

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 September 28, 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 September 28, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Stem.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

No, there are no recurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

TRUNK

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.

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

Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet today

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.

TL;DR: Learn how to get more out of Claude with the Claude AI Professional E-Degree, on sale for $14.97 (reg. $49) through Sept. 29.

Opens in a new window Credit: Eduonix Learning Solutions Claude AI Professional E-Degree $14.97
$159 Save $144.03   Get Deal

More companies are building their workflows around Claude, and Forbes reports it has become the enterprise favorite. That shift can feel like one more thing to keep up with, but it can also be an opening. Knowing how to get strong results from Claude could make you the go-to person on your team when questions come up, and this four-course bundle can help guide you there for $14.97 (reg. $49). That breaks down to less than $4 per course.

The courses come from Eduonix Learning Solutions, a team of industry professionals who teach technology the way it’s used on the job. You get over 8 hours of video lessons that start with the basics and progress to more advanced material. It fits whether you’ve only asked Claude a handful of questions or already use it every day.

Here’s what the lessons cover

• Writing more effective prompts and building chain-of-thought workflows

• AI-assisted coding and debugging techniques

• Connecting Claude with Gmail, Google Drive, Calendar, Chrome, and MCP connectors

• Hands-on projects for marketing workflows, AI websites, and automated systems

The project work is where you turn your learning into action. Instead of watching someone else use the tool, you’ll build things that mirror the tasks you’d actually hand off to Claude at work. Quizzes along the way show you what’s sticking, and you’ll earn a professional eDegree certification when you finish.

It’s a great low-effort way for developers, freelancers, creators, and entrepreneurs who want to move beyond basic chats and into AI use that saves real time. The material is split into four modules so that you can take them one at a time.

Get the Claude AI Professional E-Degree for $14.97 (reg. $49) through Sept. 29.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

First came the hand across the dinner table. Then the second drink, the carefully cropped shoulder, and the suspiciously tall shadow. Now Instagram has a new way to hint that you’re seeing someone.

The platform’s new Pixel effect lets you blur a person or object in a Story by describing what you want pixelated in a text prompt. In a post showing off the effect, Instagram leaned into its dating potential: "Soft launching? We got you."

If you’re unfamiliar with the ritual, a soft launch lets your followers know there’s a new person in your life without telling them exactly who it is. You might post their hand or the back of their head. Pixel takes that idea a step further: Everyone can see that your date is in the photo, but their identity remains a mystery.

And there’s an audience for that kind of reveal. Tinder data reported by Mashable in 2023 found that 26 percent of UK 18- to 34-year-olds would rather gradually reveal a new partner online, compared with 8 percent who preferred a big announcement. In a recent Tinder survey, 46 percent of single Gen Z social media users in the U.S. said they soft-launch relationships, while 37 percent said they hard-launch them.

SEE ALSO: Young people want to soft launch their partners, Tinder says

Of course, blurring a date is its own kind of announcement, and people have thoughts about what it might feel like to be on the other side of it. In an r/popculturechat thread about the feature, one commenter asked whether a pixelated partner was in "witness protection." Another summed up the appeal, or lack of it, as "For when you want to share pictures but not really." Someone else could already see the argument coming: "Fights about why someone blurred the other happening in 3..2..1."

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There’s another option, too: Keep the relationship off Instagram. In a 2024 survey of 1,000 Gen Z and millennial adults, 45 percent said they didn’t share their relationships online or didn’t use social media. The same survey found that respecting their own or their partner’s privacy was the top reason respondents gave for soft launching. For some couples, a partial reveal feels like a comfortable middle ground. For others, it might be more attention than they want.

Pixel also has uses unrelated to dating. You could blur a child’s face in a family photo or obscure a stranger who ended up in the background. "This makes most sense for background people in your picture who didn’t consent to being in a picture posted online," one Reddit commenter wrote.

That concern lands amid other questions about how Meta handles people’s images. In July, the company briefly let users reference public Instagram accounts in AI-generated images, then removed the feature after criticism. Its camera-equipped smart glasses have also raised concerns about bystanders being recorded without their knowledge. Now, Pixel gives someone posting a Story a way to blur a person first.

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As for dating, Pixel makes the soft launch easier to pull off — though it doesn’t tell you how your date will feel about it. That may be a conversation to have before the Story goes up.

"We do not condone what we are doing." It’s a bold thing for an AI company CEO to say on television, even when that CEO is actually Jane Wickline in a wig.

During the Sept. 26 premiere of Saturday Night Live’s new season, Wickline played Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on Weekend Update, answering Michael Che’s questions as two versions of the same man. One tried to sound like a reassuring tech CEO. The other kept saying things a reassuring tech CEO probably shouldn’t say on television.

The second version won. "AI is the devil and I its maker!" Wickline’s Amodei declared. Asked about the industry’s position on its own work, the character offered another less-than-comforting assurance: "We do not condone what we are doing."

Even the segment’s attempt to find a bright side took a turn. Asked whether AI could cure cancer, Wickline’s Amodei replied, "In 10 years, there’s about a 10% chance that cancer won’t be a problem for anyone," leaving audiences wondering if he's predicting a cure or a world with no one left to get cancer.

SEE ALSO: Anthropic's CEO urges the industry to slow down, and Sam Altman agrees

Amodei leads the company behind Claude, but he has also warned about the risks of developing increasingly powerful AI too quickly. In a recent essay, he called for companies to slow the pace of development so safety work has time to catch up, with outside evaluators and shared standards to help keep them accountable. He argues that AI could bring enormous benefits, too; his proposal is to develop it more carefully.

With SNL back for a new season, it was only a matter of time before the AI debate reached the Weekend Update desk. Wickline got plenty of material out of one CEO trying to explain himself. We’ll see which tech executive the show characterizes next.

A refrigerator has one job you really don’t want interrupted by a software update. For some Samsung owners in South Korea, though, an update left their fridges unable to keep food cold.

The trouble began Sept. 22, when customers installed refrigerator software through Samsung’s SmartThings app. Owners reported dark interior lights, screens stuck on an "updating" message, and fridges that had stopped cooling. The affected models were reportedly mostly Bespoke AI four-door refrigerators released since 2024.

SEE ALSO: Apple's iPhone Duo is here, and Samsung is already throwing shade

The timing made a bad situation worse. Chuseok, a major Korean holiday centered on family gatherings and food, was about to begin. One owner told Seoul Shinmun they had thrown away 20 kilograms of food; others worried about meat and other groceries they had bought for the holiday.

Samsung acknowledged the problem on its community forum, saying an error during software testing had caused power and screen problems for some customers. According to South Korean reporting, software meant for internal testing was mistakenly sent to customers. Samsung stopped distributing it, offered free repairs, and aimed to restore affected refrigerators by Sept. 24. The company said it was still reviewing compensation for spoiled food. It has not publicly confirmed how many fridges were affected or whether every repair was completed by that target date.

The outage raises a question that goes well beyond Samsung. Fridges can recognize food and suggest recipes. LG sells washers that detect fabric types and adjust the cycle. Dyson’s new CameraJet toothbrush even uses a tiny camera and AI to find the gaps between your teeth. Some of those features may be genuinely useful.

But Samsung’s fridge failure shows what’s at stake when the software inside an everyday appliance goes wrong: you might lose the basic thing you bought the appliance to do in the first place.

Updated at 10:32 a.m. CT: According to The Hollywood Reporter, it appears that YouTube and Meta will allow distributor Bleeker Street to run paid ads on Alex Gibney's Musk documentary.

The reversal follows a wave of social media backlash accusing YouTube, Meta, and TikTok of suppressing a film critical of Elon Musk to avoid drawing the ire of the SpaceX and X CEO.

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In a comment left under THR's original report of the story, YouTube's X account replied that the ads were "temporarily restricted" and are now cleared to run. Meta will also run the ads as well, telling THR that the decision was "an error". However, TikTok and X have yet to make a decision.

You can read our original report of the story below.

Musk, Alex Gibney's four-hour documentary about Elon Musk, hits theaters in two weeks and received rave reviews out of its premiere at the Venice International Film Festival. Yet distributor Bleecker Street can't buy ads on major social media platforms in order to promote it.

SEE ALSO: 'Musk' documentary trailer is finally here

According to The Hollywood Reporter, YouTube, TikTok, and Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, have all refused to run the trailer for Musk. The same goes for X, which is owned by Musk and which reportedly won't accept advertising for Bleecker Street's other upcoming releases.

YouTube, TikTok, and Meta told Bleecker Street representatives that they rejected the trailer because of "political content." TikTok and Meta do not allow paid political and campaign ads, with Meta's rules stemming from the Cambridge Analytica scandal. YouTube does, with ads requiring "paid for" disclosures. The Musk trailer contains references to the 2024 election, but it is not itself a political campaign.

Bleecker Street has appealed YouTube, TikTok, and Meta's decision. While YouTube and TikTok are still mulling over the request, Meta has rejected it outright.

This isn't the first bump in the road for Musk. Universal Pictures, which is distributing the film internationally, reportedly got cold feet on releasing Musk. Evan Langweiler, Universal's Executive Vice President of Global Communications and Media Relations, has since told The Hollywood Reporter that, "the studio remains committed to releasing [Musk] in theaters internationally."

The incident recalls Amazon MGM Studios' dropping of Luca Guadagnino's OpenAI and Sam Altman film Artificial, another fall release that looks to take a prominent tech figure to task. Aaron Sorkin's The Social Reckoning, also out this fall, will follow a similar path with Mark Zuckerberg.

Musk hits theaters Oct. 9.

Lucasfilm may have found a director for the next chapter of the Skywalker Saga.

Jon Watts, who directed Tom Holland's three Spider-Man films, is attached to direct the first movie in a new Star Wars trilogy written by Simon Kinberg. The Hollywood Reporter dropped the news on Friday, courtesy of KnightEdgeMedia, an entertainment industry leaker with a credible track record.

Nothing is locked in yet, and Lucasfilm declined THR's request for comment. The outlet writes that, according to sources, the project is still in development and hasn't been greenlit by Disney. Although it does appear to be the Star Wars film furthest along after Star Wars: Starfighter, the Shawn Levy-directed movie starring Ryan Gosling (Project Hail Mary, Fall Guy).

SEE ALSO: 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' review: If this is the future of Star Wars, I don't want it

Starfighter is currently in post-production and is expected in theaters May 27, 2027, around the franchise's 50th anniversary.

THR reports that Kinberg has been writing the trilogy since late 2024. It would pick up the Skywalker Saga, the family story that has run through Episodes I to IX, making the first film Episode X. Daisy Ridley's Rey Skywalker, the lead of the 2015–2019 sequel trilogy, is expected to appear in some form.

Watts wouldn't be new to the galaxy, far, far away. He co-created and co-wrote the 2024 Disney+ series Skeleton Crew, starring Jude Law, and directed two episodes of the series. The show received positive reviews from Mashable's Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards; however, as THR notes, its viewership was below expectations.

As the reported writer, Kinberg is the more divise pick for fans. Kinberg co-created the animated series Star Wars Rebels and co-wrote the well-received X-Men: Days of Future Past. But he is also tied to some of the X-Men franchise's weakest entries. He co-wrote 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand, a box-office hit that critics and fans panned for it's adaption of the Dark Phoenix saga. Kinberg tapped into that well again as writer and director of 2019's Dark Phoenix, which flopped with critics and at the box office. He also co-wrote 2015's Fantastic Four reboot, another critical and commercial failure.

Early reaction online has been lukewarm at best. Many fans questioned the pairing despite Watts' success with Spider-Man, and much of the skepticism centered on Kinberg's track record.

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TL;DR: Watch Norway vs. Portugal in the Nations League for free on RTP. Access this free livestream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Norway host Portugal in the next round of UEFA Nations League fixtures. Both sides secured wins in their opening games of this campaign, and now they meet for an interesting clash at the Ullevaal Stadion. All eyes will be on Haaland as he goes up against Ronaldo's side.

If you're interested in watching Norway vs. Portugal in the Nations League from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is Norway vs. Portugal?

Norway vs. Portugal in the Nations League kicks off at 2.45 p.m. ET on Sept. 27. This fixture takes place at Ullevaal Stadion.

How to watch Norway vs. Portugal for free

Norway vs. Portugal in the Nations League is available to live stream for free on RTP.

RTP is geo-restricted to Portugal, 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 Portugal, meaning you can live stream Norway vs. Portugal for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Norway vs. Portugal for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Portugal

4. Visit ITVX

5. Watch Norway vs. Portugal for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Norway vs. Portugal without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTP?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTP, for a number of reasons:

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A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.

Live stream Norway vs. Portugal for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

A new season means Colin Jost and Michael Che are back behind the SNL's Weekend Update desk, and it's like they never left.

The pair didn't hold back on the week's headlines, from China's Xi Jinping visiting President Trump to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial, protested appearance at the UN General Assembly.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed an almost empty chamber at the UN after delegates walked out in protest over Israel's war in Gaza," Che says. "I guess wherever Netanyahu shows up, there's gonna be some relocating."

When the audience groans, Che shrugs it off: "Now why did I think that'd end in a laugh."

SEE ALSO: 'SNL' kicks off Season 52 with Trump crushing hard on Mamdani

They also took shots at Trump's new helipad, Meta's new AI agent Muse, and a report that "20% of Gen Z have never had sex."

Update had more than just jokes, too, and SNL split those segments into their own clips. Tucker Carlson (Jeremy Culhane) stopped by to review movies, and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei (Jane Wickline) struggled to reassure everyone that AI isn't a threat to humanity... yet.

The new season of Saturday Night Live brought us new cast members Grace Reiter and Saidah Belo-Osagie, and there's no better introduction than a dedicated sketch poking fun at Dream Academy.

SEE ALSO: 'SNL' kicks off Season 52 with Trump crushing hard on Mamdani

For those who don't know, Dream Academy is a K-pop talent competition that airs on YouTube and aims to create an international girl group. The show led to the formation of Katseye, who served as musical guests for the season premiere. This time, though, SNL spoofed a new season of the talent show starring two contestants that really shouldn't have been there.

Reiter and sophomore cast member Jane Wickline star as two unlikely contestants for an international girl group. Turns out they're just there cause they have dirt on the producer.

"Duff and Margo saw a hit-and-run caused by a music executive," the producer tells the camera, hinting that it was her. "And now they're on the show."

Saturday Night Live is back for season 52, and some traditions are sacred, ie, James Austin Johnson opening the show once again as President Donald Trump. This time, though, Trump had to share the spotlight.

SEE ALSO: Trump tries to rebrand AI. Is it really that 'super'?

Enter Ramy Youssef as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, doing his best to brace New Yorkers for a Nor'easter barreling up the East Coast. As he's spreading the news, Trump barges in.

"You're in most of my dreams," Trump confesses. "I call you Ma-Dreamy."

From there, the Cold Open is what you'd expect with Trump meandering through the week's headlines. There's his sit-down with China's Xi Jinping, plus the dinner that followed, which doubled as a who's who of Silicon Valley's biggest tech titans.

Then, Ashley Padilla arrives as Trump aide Natalie Harp, and things go off the rails fast.

TL;DR: As of Sept. 26, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for $89.99 at Amazon. That's under market price.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box $89.99 at Amazon
  Shop Now

Pokémon fans are all desperate to get their hands on products from the new Pokémon 30th Celebration collection. We can't believe we're saying this, but Amazon is actually the best place to find the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box. And better yet, it's way below market price.

As of Sept. 26, the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box is available for just $89.99 on Amazon. That's much cheaper than the market price, according to TCG Player.

So where's the catch? Unfortunately, you can't simply buy the Elite Trainer Box on Amazon. Instead, potential buyers must click the "request invite" button. If you're randomly selected, you’ll get an email to let you know that you’re eligible to buy Pokémon’s 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box. The email will contain a purchase link that's valid for 72 hours.

We can see that these ETBs are selling fast, so the "invitation to buy" system is clearly working for many shoppers. And even if your invitation request isn't selected, Amazon will keep it on file, and you might get another shot when it's restocked. 

The Elite Trainer Box includes nine Pokémon 30th Celebration booster packs, a full-art foil Nidorina promo, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 sleeves, dice, a coin, dividers, a player’s guide, and a Pokémon TCG Live code. 

Score the Pokémon 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box for $89.99 this weekend — way below market price.

TL;DR: Target is hosting a nationwide Pokémon 30th Anniversary event on Sept. 27 from 12-4 p.m. local time. Attend to claim custom card crafts, free goodie bags, and limited-edition 30th Celebration TCG drops.

Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to Pokémon. It doesn't matter how many collections and expansions hit the market. I know the world will collectively lose its mind whenever anything new drops. Nothing is changing anytime soon.

So when I heard that Target is planning a huge nationwide Pokémon 30th Anniversary event with merch, games, and giveaways, the hairs stood up on my neck. This is going to be big, so I want you to be prepared.

SEE ALSO: The Pokémon 30th Celebration box is way below market price — act fast to buy for $89.99 on Amazon

Here is everything you need to know if you plan to attend, what you can actually get, and how to prepare for the inevitable crowds.

When is the Target Pokémon event?

Target's Pokémon 30th Anniversary event takes place on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 12-4 p.m. local time at participating brick-and-mortar locations.

Store participation and stock allocations will vary by location, so I recommend checking the full list of participating stores or calling your local store beforehand to confirm they are hosting. It's also worth asking about their line policies, so you don't go home disappointed.

The top deals of the day

• Shop early October Prime Day deals at Amazon 

• Shop the Nintendo Customer Appreciation Sale

• See the latest Amazon deals on headphones and earbuds

• See the latest Amazon deals on laptops and computers

What freebies, activities, and demos are offered?

Target is setting up dedicated Pokémon areas in participating stores featuring a mix of interactive activities and freebies. You can expect a "draw-your-own Pokémon card" craft station that includes a plastic slab cover resembling a PSA-graded collectible. Select Target locations will also feature playable demos for Pokémon Pokopia on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Credit: Target

Everyone loves a freebie, and the good news is that you can expect promotional giveaways while supplies last. Target hasn't confirmed exactly what will be on offer just yet, but we're seeing rumors around goodie bags for attendees. According to reports, the first ~98 attendees in line will receive a bag of freebies, which includes a Mewtwo promo card and a special event ticket. That ticket can be redeemed to purchase two 30th Celebration Tins, if the rumors are true.

Demand during the Sept. 16 launch was massive, so what are your chances of actually getting your hands on anything during this event? You're going to be going up against scalpers, but what's new?

After more than 40 months of test flights, SpaceX will attempt to put its mammoth Starship into orbit around Earth for the first time and bring it back for a safe landing — 10 hours later. 

The company, founded by billionaire Elon Musk, plans to launch the rocket from its private pad in Starbase, Texas, as early as 8:15 a.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 28. 

Prior flights that have reached space have only flown straight up and down, meaning gravity has naturally pulled Starship back toward the ground like a tossed ball. But to stay in space, it must instead fly sideways at 17,500 mph. At that staggering speed, the spacecraft is still "falling" toward the ground, but Earth's surface is curving away at the exact same rate. That's what allows the spacecraft to continuously stay in space without ever crashing back to the planet. 

"Flight tests until this point have intentionally flown passively safe suborbital trajectories to maximize public safety while allowing for maximum learning," according to SpaceX. "By going to orbit, the next phase of developing Starship to be fully and rapidly reusable can begin."

The upcoming test, marking Starship's 14th flight, is the latest step in the company's long campaign to turn the most powerful rocket ever built into a reusable vehicle — one that can haul heavy cargo, survive a scorching plunge back to Earth, and support NASA's Artemis moon missions. Beyond that, Musk's personal priority is to use the rocket and ship to send people to Mars. 

SEE ALSO: Artemis III delays could threaten landing on the moon in 2028

SpaceX says it will stream the South Texas launch on its website and X, the social media platform also owned by Musk. The broadcast is expected to start around 7:45 a.m. ET, or about 30 minutes before liftoff. The actual time those 33 Raptor engines will fire depends on weather conditions, fueling operations, and other factors. The team has until 9:30 a.m. ET to get it off the ground. 

That's incredibly early in the day for a Starship test — for good reason. Flight controllers are gearing up for a long day at the console. The plan is to send Starship around the planet six times before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean to the west of Chile. Though most flights have concluded in a little over one hour, this 10-hour flight undoubtedly will be a stress test.

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Starship is the name of SpaceX's super-heavy-lift booster and spacecraft combined. The 400-foot stack towers over NASA's mega moon rocket, the Space Launch System. SpaceX estimates its stainless steel rocket also has about twice as much thrust, propelled with 10 million pounds of liquid methane and oxygen. 

During Monday's test, the spacecraft will fire an engine again to increase its speed and enter orbit, if it looks healthy. Flight controllers have the option to skip that burn and allow it to arc back to Earth, splashing down in the Indian Ocean, should anything not look good. 

While Starship is in orbit, the team will monitor thousands of pieces of data on the engines, computers, navigation, fuel tanks, communications, and other systems. The spacecraft should circle the world at an altitude of 170 miles — well below the International Space Station, which orbits about 250 miles above Earth.  

Starship will attempt six orbits around Earth on its 14th test flight. Credit: SpaceX

SpaceX will attempt another first during the test. Though Starship carried 20 real satellites (as opposed to dummies) on its last flight in July, those were not meant to become operational. They fell back and burned up in the atmosphere. 

This time, Starship will try to deploy 26 Starlink V3 internet satellites and actually put them to work. If all goes well, they should go into service within a few weeks. Three of the dishes will be festooned with cameras to provide images from the test and observe the ship's heatshield. 

Then, to end the mission as planned, Starship will have to fire one more time to leave orbit and head back through Earth's atmosphere. But, however long the test runs, SpaceX intends to cover it. So, buckle up.

TL;DR: The AdGuard VPN + Ad Blocker Family Security Suite is on sale for $39.97 (reg. $439.39) through Sept. 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT, with a no-logs policy, advanced security protocols, Threat Protection, and DNS leak protection.

Opens in a new window Credit: AdGuard VPN AdGuard VPN + Ad Blocker Family Security Suite $39.97
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Running a business means safeguarding more than just your own information. AdGuard VPN focuses on private, encrypted connections, offering features designed to help keep your online activity secure. During the September Flash Sale, the AdGuard VPN + Ad Blocker Family Security Suite is available for $39.97 (reg. $439.39) through Sept. 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

AdGuard VPN uses advanced security protocols and employs a strict no-logs policy, which means the company states it does not keep records of users’ online activity. The service also includes DNS leak protection and Threat Protection, delivering security enhancements that go beyond simply routing your connection through a VPN.

A global server network is another critical factor for professionals who routinely work across locations. A VPN can route your connection through a different server — helpful when traveling or accessing services with regional restrictions. AdGuard also prioritizes connection speed and optimized protocols, ensuring security doesn’t come at the cost of performance.

For those working remotely, the VPN suite’s features can be useful when handling business tasks outside the office. Connecting from a coffee shop, hotel, coworking space, or another unfamiliar network can create a different security environment than working from home or an office. A VPN can help encrypt the connection between your device and the VPN server, while the suite’s additional protections provide another layer for everyday browsing.

Of course, a VPN is not a substitute for strong passwords, multifactor authentication, regular software updates, or other essential security practices. Yet for professionals seeking an additional privacy tool, AdGuard combines several useful features in a single service.

The AdGuard VPN + Ad Blocker Family Security Suite is $39.97 (reg. $439.39) during our September Flash Sale through Sept. 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT. No coupon code is required.

StackSocial prices subject to change.