First Take

NASA's Artemis II mission is set to carry astronauts around the moon for the first time in more than five decades, marking the first crewed lunar flight since Apollo 17 in 1972. Coverage examines why the United States took so long to return, pointing to shifting political priorities, funding cycles and the complexity of building new deep-space systems after the Apollo programme ended.

US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito will not take part in the first case of the new term, a major climate dispute, reversing his earlier refusal to recuse. The decision follows calls from progressive critics who pointed to his stock holdings in oil companies as a conflict of interest. The move is drawing attention to ethics questions surrounding the justices and could affect how the climate case is decided.

Jon Watts has been hired to direct a new Star Wars film, according to American media reports. Watts, best known for directing the three Spider-Man films starring Tom Holland, will helm the first part of a planned series. The announcement is drawing attention from film fans curious about the director's take on the franchise.

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are underway, with live coverage following stars down the red carpet ahead of the ceremony. AP Entertainment is streaming the arrivals as fans follow for first looks at nominees, performers and fashion. The event is one of music's biggest annual award nights, drawing heavy online attention as winners are announced through the evening.

Ukraine says it has airdropped ground robots behind Russian lines as part of operations credited with inflicting thousands of casualties — around 3,000 Russian troops, according to the claim — described by officials as a 'historic moment'. The deployment marks a rare use of unmanned ground vehicles delivered by air to strike at rear positions, adding a new dimension to drone warfare on the battlefield.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has extended the candidacy nomination period for the planned legislative elections, according to Anadolu Agency. The move gives political factions and candidates additional time to register ahead of the vote, which would be the first Palestinian legislative election since 2006. Observers are watching closely for signs the long-delayed elections will actually take place.

The Berlin Marathon is one of the most searched topics in several European countries, ranking first in the Netherlands, fifth in Germany and seventh in Sweden, with strong interest also in the UK. The race is one of the World Marathon Majors, known for its flat, fast course through the German capital, and regularly attracts elite runners chasing world records alongside tens of thousands of amateur participants.

George Russell ended his winless run in Formula 1 by taking victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, beating Max Verstappen by just 0.196 seconds. The race was disrupted by two safety car periods, which shaped the strategy and kept the field tightly bunched to the finish. Fans and pundits are debating the late-race tactics and Russell's first win of the campaign.

Land prices for data centers in the United States have risen almost tenfold in two years. In the first half of 2026, companies spent roughly $6 billion on land for future data centers, 79 percent more than a year earlier, with land taking up a growing share of overall development budgets as the AI-driven building boom accelerates.

New York has filed a lawsuit against prediction market platform Polymarket, alleging it operates as illegal gambling. The legal action comes as online betting adoption surges: Bank of America consumer data shows platform usage rose 40% in July, with first-time use tripling since the start of the year. Regulators are increasingly scrutinising fast-growing betting and prediction platforms as mainstream consumer adoption accelerates.

For nine months, Rodriguez had avoided giving any signals about an election, while U.S. officials managed expectations by saying a vote would take time to materialize. The remark now points to a possible shift in that stance, drawing attention to how both Washington and Rodriguez's camp have handled questions over when an election might actually happen.

Disney has chosen Jon Watts, director of the recent Spider-Man films, to helm the first installment in a new trilogy set in the Star Wars Skywalker Saga era. Watts takes on one of the most high-profile directing jobs in franchise filmmaking, and fans are debating what his action-driven blockbuster style could mean for the future of Star Wars on screen.

Micron is reporting its fiscal first-quarter 2026 earnings, with attention focused on whether a boost from Nvidia's latest chip launch will reach the memory maker later than expected. Analysts and investors are watching Micron's guidance for signs that demand tied to Nvidia's new chips may take longer to translate into sales, a factor that could shape sentiment across the semiconductor sector.

The reporting obligations under the EU Cyber Resilience Act take effect in September 2026, requiring manufacturers of products with digital elements to notify authorities of actively exploited vulnerabilities and security incidents. Companies selling connected hardware and software in the EU are preparing compliance processes ahead of the deadline, with legal commentators flagging the timeline for firms still assessing their obligations.

Mexico's national football team takes on Colombia in an international friendly that marks Rafa Márquez's debut as head coach of El Tri. Fans are searching for kickoff times and broadcast details, with interest strong in Mexico, Spain, and the United States, where large Colombian and Mexican communities follow the match.

India's men's team is set to take on Afghanistan in its first match at the venue, with the squad training ahead of the fixture. Preparations and team selections are drawing attention from fans as the two sides prepare to meet, with coverage focusing on India's build-up and what the matchup could deliver.

Jayson Tatum says he feels 'comfortable' taking charge of the Boston Celtics following the trade that sent Jaylen Brown elsewhere, per ESPN. The comments mark Tatum's first public framing of his expanded role as the franchise's clear centerpiece, with fans and analysts weighing in on how the reshaped roster will fare in the upcoming season without his longtime co-star.

Illinois enacted the nation's first law addressing climate migration, but the effort has since languished with little visible progress on implementation. The legislation was meant to position the state as a destination for people displaced by climate change, drawing on its relative climate safety and water resources. Advocates and officials are now debating why momentum has faded and what it will take to turn the law into actual programs and support for climate migrants.

Ukraine is taking on the Czech Republic in the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Final, the world cup of tennis. The tie is being followed live, with Ukraine reaching the final seen as a notable achievement given the country's circumstances. Fans are watching closely to see whether Ukraine can claim its first title or whether the Czechs add to their record haul.

NBA training camps are set to open across the league, with Media Day taking place in most cities on Monday and practices beginning on Tuesday. The sessions mark the unofficial start of the new NBA season, giving teams their first chance to gather rosters, introduce new signings and speak to reporters ahead of preseason play.

Readership Television's long-running daytime program Miyane-ya is set to end, with the network announcing its successor, 'News to'. Yomiuri TV announcer Chiaki Kuroki will serve as main MC of the new show, her first regular national network role. She said she will carry with her the advice given by longtime host Seiji Miyane as she takes over the timeslot.

Alexander Zverev begins his ATP tournament in Beijing with a first-round match against Chinese star Shang Juncheng, a player the German has a strong record against. Alongside the match talk, German outlets are discussing how Zverev could realistically overhaul Jannik Sinner and take the world number one ranking in 2026. The tournament in the Chinese capital is drawing wide attention across Europe.

PSV Eindhoven left-back Mauro Junior says he never gave up on his dream of playing for Brazil, as Carlo Ancelotti takes charge of the national team. The 26-year-old, who has been a regular in the Eredivisie, is hoping a call-up to the Seleção could finally materialize under the Italian coach, and fans are debating whether he deserves a spot.

The International team rallied to split Saturday's foursomes matches at the Presidents Cup, earning a draw in the session and carrying a three-point lead into Sunday's singles. The fightback keeps alive their bid for a first title since 1998, with Sunday's 12 singles matches set to decide the cup against the United States.

The NFL has asked the Trump administration to take down a highlight video featuring a Hall of Famer that referenced immigration. The request, first reported by Cleveland.com, comes after the clip circulated with messaging tied to immigration policy. The league's move signals discomfort with its footage being used in political communication, though neither the NFL nor the administration has detailed the exchange further.

The Yomiuri Giants are taking on the Yokohama DeNA BayStars at Tokyo Dome in a Nippon Professional Baseball game on October 3, 2026. Japanese sports media, including Mynavi News, published pre-game coverage covering lineups and match previews, driving attention from baseball fans ahead of the first pitch.

The Los Angeles Rams hold a 16-0 lead over the Denver Broncos at halftime of Sunday Night Football. The Rams have kept Denver scoreless through the first half, taking firm control of the primetime matchup. Football fans are following the score updates live as the Broncos look to mount a second-half comeback.

Australia are taking on Brazil in the second of their two football matches, with the game being played in Brisbane. Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has named an unchanged starting XI from the first encounter. The fixture is drawing attention worldwide, topping search trends in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and India.

A 2024 clip of Isaiah Stewart punching Drew Eubanks in a pre-game altercation has resurfaced, drawing a fresh wave of reactions from NBA fans. Comments range from mockery of Eubanks for taking the hit to criticism of Stewart for swinging in the first place. The incident, which originally led to league discipline discussions, is being relitigated on social media.

The head of world squash says the sport is looking forward to its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, but is not taking its inclusion at the Brisbane 2032 Games for granted. Squash will appear at the Olympics for the first time in LA, and officials are campaigning to keep the sport on the programme beyond that.