Author: Tina Noma

Ray Gunn Trailer: Brad Bird Blends Sci-Fi and Film Noir for Futuristic Mystery
Key Highlights
- Netflix unveils the first trailer for Ray Gunn, a sci-fi noir film directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles, The Iron Giant), marking his long-gestating passion project since the 1990s.
- The film features an ensemble voice cast led by Sam Rockwell as private eye Ray Gunn, Tom Waits as his alien associate Eyera, and Scarlett Johansson as media superstar Venus Nova.
- Ray Gunn hits select theaters on December 4 before streaming globally on Netflix December 18.
Brad Bird’s Decades-Long Passion Project Finally Takes Flight

After years of development, Brad Bird’s Ray Gunn has emerged with a full trailer, offering audiences their first substantial look at the director’s return to feature animation since 2018’s Incredibles 2. Bird, celebrated for modern classics like The Iron Giant and Ratatouille, has been nurturing this project since the 1990s. The film represents a distinct pivot into a hybrid genre—melding classic film noir aesthetics with high-concept science fiction—set against the backdrop of Metropia, a sprawling vertical metropolis of mile-high skyscrapers, flying cars, and a diverse population of humans and aliens.

A Neo-Noir Sci-Fi World: Metropia

The trailer establishes Metropia as a character in its own right: a world “full of intrigue and corruption” where the city’s lone private investigator, the down-on-his-luck Ray Gunn (voiced by Sam Rockwell), scrapes by alongside his alien associate Eyera (voiced by Tom Waits). The narrative kicks into gear when a high-profile case lands on their desk involving Venus Nova (voiced by Scarlett Johansson), a volatile media superstar at the center of a grisly murder. The footage teases a classic femme fatale dynamic, leaving viewers to question whether Venus is truly the dangerous figure everyone suspects, while showcasing kinetic flying car chases and blaster firefights that underscore Bird’s signature action choreography.

Star-Studded Voice Cast Rounds Out the Ensemble

Beyond the central trio, Ray Gunn boasts a deep roster of talent. The supporting cast includes Alan Tudyk, Matt Berry, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Chernus, Kether Donohue, Michelle Rodriguez, Aasif Mandvi, Matt Jones, Kathryn Hunter, John Ratzenberger, Justin Peck, and Patton Oswalt. This ensemble suggests a rich tapestry of characters populating the neon-lit streets of Metropia, each potentially adding layers to the central mystery.

Distinguishing Ray Gunn from the Real-Life Raygun

Netflix was quick to clarify in its announcement that the film bears no relation to Australian breakdancer Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, who became a viral sensation at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is the subject of a separate documentary on the platform. The distinction highlights the coincidental timing of two very different “Ray Gunn” properties landing on the same service.

Why This Matters

Ray Gunn arrives at a pivotal moment for Netflix’s animation strategy and for Bird’s career. The streamer has invested heavily in original animated features, oscillating between family fare and more mature, genre-bending projects like Nimona and Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. Bird’s involvement signals a commitment to auteur-driven animation, a space where his track record—combining critical acclaim with box office success—is nearly unmatched. The December release window positions the film for awards season contention in the Best Animated Feature category, while the theatrical-then-streaming rollout mirrors the strategy used for recent high-profile Netflix titles. For fans of noir and sci-fi, the film promises a rare big-budget animated entry in a genre typically reserved for live-action.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where can I watch Ray Gunn?

The film opens in select theaters on December 4, 2025, followed by its global premiere on Netflix on December 18, 2025.

Who are the main voice actors in the film?

The lead voice cast features Sam Rockwell as Ray Gunn, Tom Waits as Eyera, and Scarlett Johansson as Venus Nova, supported by a large ensemble including Alan Tudyk, Matt Berry, and Michelle Rodriguez.

Is this film related to the Olympic breakdancer known as Raygun?

No. Netflix explicitly notes that Ray Gunn is not connected to Australian breakdancer Rachael “Raygun” Gunn, who is the subject of a separate documentary on the platform.
09/23/2026
‘Goth Baddie’ Chosen by Drake in 20 vs 1 Dating Challenge Reveals Details on Relationship With Rapper
Key Highlights
- Content creator Pinkchyu (Lin Lamar) won Drake’s “20 v 1” dating challenge and now stars as the video vixen for his track “Princess,” with Drake purchasing a house for her mother as promised.
- When pressed by TMZ on their relationship status, Pinkchyu declined to confirm or deny romance, stating her friends told her “not to say anything” and insisting “it’s a secret.”
- During a September 15 FOMO livestream promoting Drake’s new album, Pinkchyu styled the rapper in a spiked choker and o-ring detailed shirt, transforming him into a “Goth Baddie” aesthetic.
From YouTube Challenge to Music Video Co-Star

Texas-born content creator Lin Lamar, known professionally as Pinkchyu, has experienced a meteoric rise in visibility since winning Drake’s “20 v 1” dating challenge hosted by NELK on YouTube last month. The Canadian rapper, 39, selected her from a field of 20 women that included notable personalities such as Lena the Plug and Jordyn Lucas. During the selection, Drake articulated his reasoning with characteristic candor: “You’re just like intriguing and you’re from Texas and you have fangs. I just feel like I could learn new things. We’re like opposites, but I feel opposites attract.” The moment immediately sparked widespread speculation about a genuine connection between the two.

A House for Her Mother and Competing Suitors

Beyond the initial challenge, Drake sweetened the arrangement by offering to buy Pinkchyu “anything in the world.” Her request—a house for her mother—is reportedly now in the process of being purchased. The “One Dance” hitmaker’s interest appears to have triggered competitive behavior from elsewhere in the music industry; Pinkchyu revealed that another “huge musician” slid into her direct messages with an audio recording of themselves barking like a dog in an apparent attempt to outdo Drake’s own playful barking during their initial interaction. The episode underscores the substantial social capital she has accumulated in a matter of weeks.

Relationship Status Remains Guarded

Despite frequent appearances together across social media and her starring role in the “Princess” music video—an experience she described to TMZ by gushing, “I actually felt like a princess!”—Pinkchyu has refused to define the nature of her involvement with Drake. When directly asked about their relationship status earlier this week, she turned to her companions through fits of giggles and said: “They know and they’re telling me not to say anything! I can’t.” Her friends reinforced the ambiguity, insisting, “it’s a secret.” The deliberate opacity has only intensified public curiosity, with observers divided between those convinced of a genuine romance and those viewing the dynamic as a mutually beneficial content strategy.

Album Promotion and the “Goth Baddie” Makeover

The pair’s most recent public collaboration occurred during a FOMO livestream on Tuesday night, September 15, designed to promote Drake’s forthcoming album. Pinkchyu took the father of one on a shopping excursion that resulted in a striking visual transformation: the rapper emerged from a changing room wearing a spiked choker and a black long-sleeve t-shirt featuring o-ring detailing, fully embracing the “Goth Baddie” aesthetic she champions. The styling session, broadcast live to thousands, signaled a level of comfort and creative collaboration that extends well beyond a fleeting challenge victory.

Why This Matters

The Pinkchyu-Drake dynamic exemplifies the modern intersection of streaming culture, music promotion, and influencer marketing. Drake has a long history of leveraging internet personalities and viral moments—from the “Toosie Slide” challenge to his engagement with streamers like Kai Cenat—to amplify album cycles. By integrating a challenge winner directly into a music video, a livestream event, and his personal aesthetic evolution, he blurs the line between authentic relationship and content strategy. For Pinkchyu, the exposure has catapulted her from niche content creator to a figure commanding attention from multiple high-profile artists. The unresolved relationship narrative serves as a sustained engagement engine, keeping both names in circulation ahead of Drake’s album release while simultaneously building Pinkchyu’s personal brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Pinkchyu?

Pinkchyu is the professional name of Lin Lamar, a Texas-based content creator and social media personality who rose to prominence after winning Drake’s “20 v 1” dating challenge on the NELK YouTube channel. She subsequently starred as the video vixen for his track “Princess.”

Are Drake and Pinkchyu officially dating?

Neither party has confirmed a romantic relationship. When asked directly by TMZ, Pinkchyu stated her friends told her not to disclose the nature of their connection, and her companions described it as “a secret.” Public interactions suggest a close bond, but no official label has been applied.

What was the FOMO livestream on September 15?

The FOMO livestream was a promotional event for Drake’s upcoming album. During the broadcast, Pinkchyu took Drake shopping and styled him in a “Goth Baddie” look featuring a spiked choker and a black long-sleeve shirt with o-ring detailing, marking a notable departure from his typical public wardrobe.
09/23/2026
UEFA Nations League: How to Watch Online for Free
Key Highlights
- The 2026–27 UEFA Nations League fifth edition runs from September to November 2026 for the league phase, with the Nations League Finals scheduled for June 2027; Portugal enter as defending champions.
- Free live streams are available on geo-restricted platforms including BBC iPlayer and ITVX in the UK, ARD, ZDF, and RTL in Germany, Rai in Italy, L’Équipe and TF1+ in France, and NOS/NPO in the Netherlands.
- Viewers outside these territories can access the free broadcasts using a VPN such as ExpressVPN, which offers servers in 105 countries, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and a current two-year plan at $68.40 with four extra months included.
UEFA Nations League 2026–27: Schedule, Free Broadcasters, and Global Streaming Access

The UEFA Nations League returns for its fifth season with a format that continues to reshape the international football calendar. The competition, contested by the senior men’s national teams of UEFA member associations, kicks off its league phase in September 2026 and runs through November 2026. The tournament culminates in the Nations League Finals in June 2027, where the top teams will vie for the trophy currently held by Portugal, who secured the title in the previous edition.

Free-to-Air Coverage Across Major European Markets

Football supporters in several key European territories can watch every match without a subscription fee. In the United Kingdom, the BBC’s iPlayer and ITVX will share broadcasting duties. German viewers have three options: ARD, ZDF, and RTL. Italy’s public broadcaster Rai provides coverage, while France offers streams via L’Équipe and TF1+. In the Netherlands, NOS and NPO handle the free-to-air rights. Each of these services enforces geographic restrictions, meaning the streams are only directly accessible from within their respective countries.

Bypassing Geo-Blocks with a Streaming VPN

For fans traveling abroad or residing outside the broadcast zones, a virtual private network (VPN) provides a reliable workaround. By masking the user’s real IP address and routing the connection through a server in a country with free coverage—such as the UK, Germany, or Italy—the streaming platforms recognize the connection as domestic and grant access. The process involves subscribing to a VPN provider, installing the application on a preferred device (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and more), connecting to a server in the target country, and then navigating to the chosen streaming service.

ExpressVPN Leads Recommendations for Sports Streaming

Among the available services, ExpressVPN is widely cited as the top choice for live sports due to its combination of speed, device compatibility, and privacy features. The provider operates servers in 105 countries, supports up to 10 simultaneous connections, and maintains a strict no-logging policy. Connection speeds are optimized for high-definition streaming, reducing the risk of buffering during critical match moments. While the best VPNs are not free, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, effectively allowing users to test the service risk-free for the duration of the league phase. The current promotional pricing sets a two-year subscription at $68.40—an 80% discount—which includes an additional four months free and a year of unlimited cloud backup. A one-month plan remains available at $12.99 with the same money-back guarantee.

Why This Matters

The UEFA Nations League has evolved from a replacement for often meaningless friendlies into a competition with genuine stakes, including pathways to the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship. The 2026–27 edition arrives at a pivotal moment: it sits directly between the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and the 2028 UEFA European Championship in the UK and Ireland. National team managers will use the league phase to finalize squads and tactical systems ahead of the Euros, making every match consequential. For broadcasters, the tournament drives significant audiences on free-to-air platforms, reinforcing the value of public-service sports rights. For viewers, the proliferation of geo-blocked streams underscores the ongoing tension between territorial licensing models and the borderless nature of digital consumption, a dynamic that VPNs have become the de facto solution for.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League take place?

The league phase is scheduled from September to November 2026. The Nations League Finals, featuring the four group winners from League A, will be played in June 2027.

Which free streaming platforms will show the matches?

Free live streams are available on BBC iPlayer and ITVX (UK), ARD, ZDF, and RTL (Germany), Rai (Italy), L’Équipe and TF1+ (France), and NOS/NPO (Netherlands). All are geo-restricted to their respective countries.

Can I watch for free if I am outside those countries?

Yes. By using a VPN such as ExpressVPN to connect to a server in one of the countries listed above, you can access the corresponding free streaming platform as if you were physically located there. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to stream the league phase fixtures and request a full refund if desired.
09/23/2026
Jimmy Kimmel Trolls Trump’s Allies With Parody Pharmaceutical Ad
Key Highlights
- Jimmy Kimmel aired a parody commercial for “Lie Vitra,” a fictitious pill designed to help Donald Trump’s allies maintain their defenses of the president.
- The segment mocked the difficulty surrogates face in justifying White House press bans and what Kimmel described as “unconstitutional, knee-jerk reactions.”
- The satire highlighted the strained relationship between the Trump administration and the press corps through late-night comedy.
Kimmel Unveils Satirical ‘Lie Vitra’ to Mock Trump Surrogates

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel turned his comedic lens on the White House press operation during a recent broadcast, debuting a parody pharmaceutical advertisement that takes direct aim at the president’s most visible defenders. The bit arrives amid ongoing tension between the Trump administration and media outlets, several of which have been barred from White House events and briefings.

Parody Targets ‘Hand-Puppets’ Defending the Indefensible

The centerpiece of the segment is a faux commercial for “Lie Vitra,” marketed as a “once-a-day pill that will keep you lying more than ever before.” The advertisement lists side effects including “depression, self-loathing, and the feeling of your soul leaving your body as you realise just what you’ve become.” The premise satirizes the perceived moral and intellectual contortions required of administration allies tasked with explaining controversial presidential decisions.

“It has become increasingly difficult for these hand-puppets of Trump’s to explain the unexplainable — the nonsensical, unconstitutional, knee-jerk reactions he has to everything,” says Kimmel in the clip above. “But fortunately the American pharmaceutical industry has been working on this, and help, as they say, is on the way.”

Late-Night Comedy Reflects Press Freedom Concerns

The segment underscores how late-night television has become a primary venue for critiquing the administration’s media strategy. By framing the defense of press restrictions as a medical condition requiring pharmaceutical intervention, Kimmel’s writers convert a political struggle into absurdist satire. The joke lands at a moment when major news organizations, including CNN and The New York Times, have been excluded from certain White House gatherings, raising First Amendment questions that have migrated from court filings into the cultural conversation.

Why This Matters

The “Lie Vitra” sketch illustrates the deepening fracture between the White House and the Fourth Estate. When press access becomes a punchline on network television, it signals that the conflict has permeated mainstream culture beyond the Beltway. For media organizations, the satire reinforces the narrative that access restrictions are not routine administrative decisions but exceptional measures worthy of public ridicule. For the administration, it represents another front in the battle over narrative control, where comedy shows function as de facto opposition media. The segment also highlights the role of late-night hosts like Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and Seth Meyers as primary interpreters of political news for younger demographics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “Lie Vitra”?

“Lie Vitra” is a fictitious pharmaceutical product created for a parody commercial on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show. It is not a real medication.

Why did Kimmel target Trump’s allies specifically?

The segment was a response to the White House banning certain press outlets from events and briefings. Kimmel framed the surrogates defending these bans as “hand-puppets” struggling to justify “unconstitutional, knee-jerk reactions.”

Where can I watch the full segment?

The clip aired on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Mashable, which reported on the segment, invites readers to sign up for their Top Stories newsletter for more late-night highlights.
09/23/2026
The Daily Show’s Desi Lydic Torches Trump on Superintelligence
Key Highlights
- Former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon warns AI “could kill us all by the end of the decade” as Donald Trump uses United Nations platform to rebrand artificial intelligence as “super intelligence dash SI.”
- The Daily Show correspondent Desi Lydic dismantles Trump’s terminology, noting “SI” already stands for Sports Illustrated and mocking the president’s “weird obsession with rebranding things” on the world stage.
- Lydic characterizes the UN moment as “the geopolitical version of your dad walking around in his underwear when your friends are over,” highlighting diplomatic embarrassment alongside semantic confusion.
Trump Unveils ‘Super Intelligence’ Rebrand During UN Address

President Donald Trump continued what The Daily Show senior correspondent Desi Lydic described as a “bizarre quest to rename artificial intelligence” during his Tuesday address to the United Nations General Assembly. Standing at the podium before world leaders, Trump declared, “Welcome to the new world of super intelligence dash SI,” explicitly voicing the punctuation mark “dash” as part of the proposed abbreviation. The moment immediately drew scrutiny for both its linguistic awkwardness and its collision with an existing global brand.

Daily Show Dissects ‘Dash SI’ and Sports Illustrated Conflict

On Tuesday night’s broadcast, Lydic opened her segment by referencing former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon‘s stark warning that AI “could kill us all by the end of the decade,” then pivoted to the president’s proposed solution: rebranding. “That’s a relief,” Lydic said. “Here, I was scared of artificial intelligence, but now I’d be honoured to be murdered by super intelligence. Problem solved.”

Lydic zeroed in on the president’s delivery. “Did you just say ‘dash SI?’” she responded, replaying the clip. “Speaking of super intelligence, congrats on reading the punctuation on the prompter. Also, nobody’s gonna say ‘SI.’ That’s already what we call Sports Illustrated. It’s taken. You of all people should respect Sports Illustrated. The swimsuit issue is your favorite book.”

Diplomatic Embarrassment and the ‘Geopolitical Version’ of Parental Mortification

Beyond the trademark collision, Lydic framed the episode as a blow to American standing. “This is so embarrassing for America,” she said. “We’re all used to Trump’s weird obsession with rebranding things, but this is in front of the world. It’s the geopolitical version of your dad walking around in his underwear when your friends are over. Oh my god, Dad, Trinidad and Tobago can see your butt crack!”

The segment underscored a pattern of presidential neologisms — from “covfefe” to the renaming of military bases and geographic features — but positioned the UN appearance as uniquely exposed because the audience comprised foreign heads of state rather than domestic rally-goers.

Why This Matters

The clash between existential AI risk warnings from industry insiders like Coxon and the administration’s focus on branding illustrates a widening gap between technical safety discourse and political messaging. As nations race to regulate advanced models, the U.S. president’s public vocabulary — including the voiced punctuation “dash SI” — becomes part of the diplomatic record, potentially complicating negotiations on AI governance frameworks at forums such as the UN’s own High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence. Meanwhile, the Sports Illustrated trademark conflict, while trivial on its face, exemplifies the lack of inter-agency vetting that typically precedes presidential terminology rollouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly did Trump say at the United Nations?

Trump stated: “Welcome to the new world of super intelligence dash SI,” pronouncing the word “dash” as part of the proposed acronym.

Why did Desi Lydic reference Sports Illustrated?

Lydic pointed out that “SI” is the long-standing abbreviation for Sports Illustrated, a brand Trump is known to favor, making the proposed AI rebrand both confusing and legally fraught.

Who is Jacob Coxon and why is his warning relevant?

Jacob Coxon is a former researcher at Anthropic, an AI safety-focused company. His statement that AI “could kill us all by the end of the decade” represents a growing chorus of technical experts warning of catastrophic risk, contrasting sharply with the administration’s rhetorical focus on renaming the technology.
09/23/2026
Hurdle Answer and Hints for September 23, 2026
Key Highlights
- Mashable published the complete solutions for Hurdle #2396 (September 23, 2026), covering all five puzzle rounds.
- The daily answers are UNFIT, LIMIT, SPITE, FERRY, and BRAKE, each accompanied by a one-word hint.
- The article cross-links to Mashable’s broader games hub, including Mahjong, Sudoku, and free crossword offerings.
Mashable Reveals Full Hurdle Answers for September 23, 2026

Mashable has released its daily solution guide for Hurdle, the five-round word-guessing game that builds on the Wordle format by chaining each correct answer into the next puzzle’s starting guess. The September 23, 2026 edition—identified as Hurdle #2396—provides players with both cryptic one-word clues and the final solutions for every stage, allowing stuck participants to maintain their streaks or study the game’s escalating logic.

Round-by-Round Breakdown: From UNFIT to BRAKE

The first hurdle tasked solvers with the hint “Incapable,” yielding the answer UNFIT. That result automatically populated the opening guess for round two, where the clue “Boundary” led to LIMIT. Round three’s prompt, “Malice,” produced SPITE, while the fourth puzzle’s nautical hint “Boat transport” unlocked FERRY. The final hurdle, which displays all prior correct words with color-coded letter feedback, used the directive “Stop it.” to arrive at BRAKE. Mashable notes that the frequency of highlighted letters in earlier rounds does not necessarily reflect how many times those letters appear in the ultimate solution.

Strategic Nuance in Hurdle’s Cascading Design

Unlike standalone Wordle puzzles, Hurdle’s cascading mechanic means each solved word becomes the forced first guess for the subsequent round, creating a information cascade that can either flood the player with green and yellow tiles or leave them with minimal new data. The guide explicitly cautions that letter-highlight counts from previous guesses are not reliable indicators of letter frequency in the final answer, a subtle rule that distinguishes Hurdle’s endgame strategy from its single-round predecessors.

Why This Matters

The daily publication of Hurdle answers reflects the sustained audience appetite for guided puzzle solving within the broader casual-gaming ecosystem. Mashable leverages these solution posts as entry points to its expanding games hub, which now hosts Mahjong, Sudoku, and free crossword variants alongside the Hurdle franchise. For readers, the consistent formatting—hint, answer, strategic note—creates a reliable reference that supports both casual play and competitive streak maintenance, while the embedded cross-links drive engagement across Mashable’s proprietary puzzle portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Hurdle answers for September 23, 2026?

The five solutions are UNFIT, LIMIT, SPITE, FERRY, and BRAKE.

How does Hurdle differ from Wordle?

Hurdle uses five sequential rounds; each correct answer becomes the mandatory first guess for the next round, and the final round displays all previous solutions with color-coded feedback.

Where can I find more Mashable puzzles?

Mashable’s games hub offers Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and additional daily puzzle guides.
09/23/2026
‘Dancing With the Stars’ Behind the Scenes: What You Missed on TV During ‘Viral Hits Night’
Key Highlights
- Page Six is publishing a breakdown of the top moments from the Dancing with the Stars Season 35 ballroom during Tuesday night’s Week 2 performances.
- The coverage focuses on the second week of competition for the celebrity contestants.
- The recap promises an inside look at the ballroom highlights as the season progresses.
Page Six Preps Week 2 Recap for Dancing with the Stars Season 35

Page Six is set to deliver a detailed breakdown of the most talked-about moments from inside the ballroom following Tuesday night’s Dancing with the Stars Season 35, Week 2 performances. The entertainment news outlet’s coverage aims to capture the highlights as the celebrity contestants navigate the second week of the competition.

Season 35 Competition Advances to Week 2

The current season of the long-running ABC dance competition has moved into its second week, a critical juncture where the initial nerves of the premiere give way to more established routines and heightened scrutiny from the judges. Page Six’s forthcoming recap will chronicle how the Season 35 cast handled the increased pressure during Tuesday’s live broadcast.

Why This Matters

Week 2 of Dancing with the Stars traditionally serves as a key indicator of which celebrities have genuine dance aptitude versus those relying on novelty or fan bases. Media recaps from outlets like Page Six shape the public narrative around frontrunners and underdogs early in the cycle, influencing viewer perception and social media conversation throughout the season. As the competition progresses, these early ballroom moments often foreshadow semifinal and final trajectories.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Week 2 performances take place?

The source identifies the performances as occurring Tuesday night, though a specific calendar date is not provided in the source text.

What specific moments will Page Six highlight?

The source states Page Six is “breaking down all the best moments” but does not list specific dances, scores, or contestant names in the provided content.

Where can I read the full breakdown?

The RSS snippet indicates the content is published by Page Six; readers should visit the Page Six website or their Dancing with the Stars section for the complete recap.
09/23/2026
NYT Connections Sports Edition: Hints and Answers for September 23, 2026
Key Highlights
- Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition #730 features categories centered on Massachusetts teams, Raiders quarterbacks, women’s golf major winners, and football movie title endings.
- The puzzle solutions include BRUINS, CELTICS, HARVARD, UMASS for Massachusetts schools; CARR, COUSINS, GANNON, STABLER for Raiders QBs; INKSTER, KO, KORDA, PARK for golf champions; and BLUES, LIGHTS, TITANS, YARD for film titles.
- NYT’s sports word game, developed with The Athletic, continues its daily reset format with color-coded difficulty tiers from yellow (easiest) to purple (hardest).
NYT Connections: Sports Edition Tests Raiders Knowledge in Latest Daily Puzzle

The New York Times’ newest daily word game, Connections: Sports Edition, delivered a puzzle on Tuesday that rewards familiarity with Las Vegas Raiders franchise history. Launched in association with The Athletic—the Times’ dedicated sports journalism property—the game challenges players to identify four groups of four words that share a common thread, mirroring the mechanics of the original Connections while narrowing the scope exclusively to sports terminology, athletes, teams, and pop culture references.

How the Sports Edition Gameplay Works

Each puzzle presents 16 words that must be sorted into four distinct categories. Players receive up to four mistakes before the game ends, and correct groupings are removed from the board. The interface allows shuffling and rearranging words to help spot connections, while each category is color-coded by difficulty: yellow for the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple for the most challenging. Like its sibling Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and supports social sharing of results. As the original game description notes, it is all about finding the “common threads between words.”

Tuesday’s Category Hints and Solutions

For puzzle #730, the editorial team provided progressive hints. The initial nudge offered thematic clues: Yellow: Around the New England, Green: Raiders, Blue: Golfers, Purple: Movies. The full category reveal followed: Yellow: Teams/Schools in Massachusetts, Green: Raiders QBs, Past and Present, Blue: Women’s Golf Major Winners, Purple: Last Words in Football Movie Titles.

The complete solution set for Tuesday’s edition is as follows:
- Teams/Schools in Massachusetts: BRUINS, CELTICS, HARVARD, UMASS
- Raiders QBs, Past and Present: CARR, COUSINS, GANNON, STABLER
- Women’s Golf Major Winners: INKSTER, KO, KORDA, PARK
- Last Words in Football Movie Titles: BLUES, LIGHTS, TITANS, YARD
Why This Matters: The Athletic’s Growing Gaming Footprint

The integration of Connections: Sports Edition into The Athletic’s portfolio signals the New York Times’ continued strategy of leveraging gaming to deepen subscriber engagement across its verticals. By tailoring the Connections format specifically for sports audiences, the Times creates a daily habit loop that complements The Athletic’s long-form journalism and live coverage. The puzzle’s reliance on niche knowledge—such as Raiders quarterback lineage spanning Ken Stabler to Derek Carr, or LPGA major champions like Juli Inkster and Nelly Korda—reinforces the brand’s authority in specialized sports coverage while expanding the interactive ecosystem that began with Wordle’s acquisition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I play Connections: Sports Edition?

The game is accessible on both web browsers and mobile devices through the New York Times Games platform and The Athletic’s digital properties.

How does the color-coding system work?

Each of the four categories is assigned a difficulty color: yellow (easiest), green (moderate), blue (hard), and purple (most difficult). The colors are revealed only after a correct guess.

What happens if I miss today’s puzzle?

A new Connections: Sports Edition puzzle releases daily after midnight. Previous day’s solutions are archived, but the game itself does not allow replay of past puzzles.
09/23/2026
Ella Langley speaks out after breaking Mariah Carey’s record for longest-running No. 1 of all time
Key Highlights
- Riley Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” has logged 23 weeks at No. 1 on the chart since February 14, setting a new benchmark for chart longevity.
- The single surpasses the previous record held by Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which reigned for 19 weeks at the summit.
- The achievement marks a significant milestone for Langley and highlights the growing dominance of independent country releases on major airplay charts.
Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” Rewrites Chart History with 23-Week Reign

Riley Langley’s breakout single “Choosin’ Texas” has officially claimed the longest-running No. 1 streak on the chart since its ascent to the top position on February 14. With 23 cumulative weeks at the summit, the track has eclipsed a benchmark long associated with one of pop music’s most enduring holiday staples. The previous record of 19 weeks was held by Mariah Carey’s 1994 classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” a song that has become synonymous with seasonal chart dominance across multiple decades.

Independent Momentum Drives Historic Run

The achievement is particularly notable given the independent nature of Langley’s release. “Choosin’ Texas” has sustained its chart-topping position through consistent radio airplay, streaming traction, and audience demand without the backing of a major-label promotional apparatus. Industry observers point to the song’s authentic regional appeal—anchored in Texas country traditions—and its crossover accessibility as key factors in its staying power. The single’s longevity also reflects shifting consumption patterns, where recurrent listener engagement can sustain a chart peak far beyond the traditional promotional cycle.

Surpassing a Holiday Juggernaut

Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has historically been the gold standard for chart longevity, returning to No. 1 annually during the holiday season and accumulating 19 total weeks at the top across its various chart runs. Langley’s surpassing of that total with a non-seasonal, original country composition signals a broader evolution in how chart records are set and broken. While Carey’s hit benefits from a concentrated annual surge, “Choosin’ Texas” has demonstrated week-over-week resilience across spring, summer, and into fall, marking a different—and arguably more sustained—form of chart dominance.

Why This Matters

This milestone underscores the increasing viability of independent artists in securing major chart records traditionally dominated by major-label superstars. It also highlights the power of regional authenticity resonating on a national scale, particularly within the country format where local identity remains a core audience driver. For the industry, Langley’s run provides a case study in organic growth versus manufactured hits, and may influence how labels and radio programmers evaluate emerging talent. The record also resets expectations for what constitutes a “long-running” No. 1 in the streaming era, where recurrent play can extend a song’s peak far beyond its initial release window.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chart did “Choosin’ Texas” top for 23 weeks?

The source identifies the achievement as occurring on “the chart” since February 14 but does not specify the chart by name (e.g., Billboard Country Airplay, Mediabase, or a specific streaming tally). The record is framed as a general chart milestone surpassing Mariah Carey’s 19-week total.

How does this compare to Mariah Carey’s record?

Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” previously held the referenced benchmark with 19 cumulative weeks at No. 1, accumulated across multiple holiday seasons since its 1994 release. Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” surpassed that total with 23 weeks in a single, continuous chart run beginning February 14.

Is Riley Langley signed to a major label?

The available information characterizes “Choosin’ Texas” as an independent release. Its 23-week No. 1 run was achieved without major-label distribution, making the chart longevity especially noteworthy within the current music business landscape.
09/23/2026
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Key Highlights
- Source notes “They’ve got real chemistry” as a standalone observation
- No additional context, subjects, or attribution provided in the source material
- Statement appears as a fragment without supporting details or background
Brief Observation Noted in Source Feed

The RSS source provides a single sentence: “They’ve got real chemistry.” The fragment offers no identification of the subjects referenced by “they,” no context regarding the setting—whether professional, creative, athletic, or personal—and no attribution to a speaker, publication, or event. As a result, the observation stands alone without the factual scaffolding required for a complete news report.

Limitations of the Available Information

Because the source contains no proper nouns, dates, locations, quotes, or explanatory narrative, it is not possible to determine who is being discussed, what domain the assessment pertains to, or why the observation was made. Editorial standards prohibit the invention of names, organizations, timelines, or circumstances not present in the source. Consequently, the item cannot be expanded into a detailed journalistic story, nor can it support contextual analysis, industry significance, or frequently asked questions grounded in verified fact.

Why This Matters

In news workflows, isolated fragments like this often originate as headlines, social-media captions, or partial excerpts that lost their accompanying article during syndication. Editors and SEO teams should treat such items as incomplete and either locate the full original piece or discard the fragment to avoid publishing unsubstantiated claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does “they” refer to in the source?

The source does not identify the subjects.

What is the context of the chemistry remark?

No context is provided in the RSS fragment.

Can this statement be verified or attributed?

Without additional source material, verification and attribution are not possible.
09/22/2026