The First Out

SpaceX is preparing its Starship megarocket for its first-ever launch to orbit, scheduled for today, September 28. The flight, which will be streamed live, marks a major milestone for the world's most powerful rocket and for SpaceX's long-term ambitions in deep space exploration. Space enthusiasts and industry watchers are following the countdown closely.

Iran's president addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and CNN aired its first reactions to the speech. The address comes amid ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear program and regional conflicts, drawing close attention from international media and diplomats. Viewers and commentators are weighing the tone of the remarks and what they signal about Tehran's stance on the world stage.

SpaceX launched Starship on its first orbital flight test, a milestone for the company's biggest and most powerful rocket. The flight drew wide attention as a major step toward deep-space travel. Details about how the test unfolded remain limited, and reaction so far has focused on the significance of the launch itself.

The White House's ban on certain media outlets is under fresh scrutiny, with legal analysts saying Trump's legal position over the restrictions has shifted dramatically. The dispute centres on which news organisations gain access to presidential events and briefings, and has drawn criticism from press freedom advocates who warn it threatens First Amendment protections. The analysis breaks down the court challenges and what the shifting arguments could mean for press access going forward.

Ukraine has sent grenade-launcher equipped ground robots to attack Russian shelters while its infantry stayed out of direct contact, with operators controlling the assault from positions tens of kilometers away. Ukraine's Third Army Corps said no one has used similar tactics in this war before, and United24 reported the operation. The attack highlights how unmanned systems are increasingly replacing troops in frontline assaults.

Germany has committed for the first time to phasing out fossil fuels, setting a target date of 2045. The pledge, reported by the Guardian, marks a significant step in the country's climate policy and is being discussed internationally as one of the most ambitious national commitments to ending fossil fuel dependence.

A federal judge has overturned a White House press ban imposed under President Trump, ruling against the administration's efforts to exclude journalists from press access. The decision is being widely covered by major news outlets including CNN, with significant public attention on the ruling and its implications for press freedom and the limits of presidential power over media access.

Anthropic has filed an IPO prospectus that lays out a sweeping vision for artificial intelligence while also detailing sharply rising operating costs. The filing gives the first formal public look at the company's finances, including heavy spending on computing and talent, as it prepares for one of the most closely watched AI listings. Readers are weighing whether the company's growth plans can justify its ballooning expenditures.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has left Beijing for Washington for his first state visit to the US capital since 2015. President Trump is reportedly expected to greet him personally on the tarmac rather than at the White House, a gesture analysts read as a signal of warmer US-China ties and a potential easing of trade tensions between the two countries.

ProPublica has published new reporting revealing the extent of the White House's role in attempting to dictate how mail-in ballots are processed. According to the outlet, the effort sparked behind-the-scenes drama that played out for nearly a year. The revelations are drawing attention ahead of the election cycle, with readers sharing the report widely and debating what it means for the independence of election administration.

A combined flu and Covid vaccine has been approved for people aged 50 and over, marking the first authorization of a single shot targeting both viruses. A large effectiveness trial is beginning in Denmark and Spain. New results have also emerged from a phase 2 trial of a so-called variant-proof Covid vaccine, as next-generation vaccine development continues.

New York City officials have identified another victim of the September 11, 2001 attacks using a first-of-its-kind genetic genealogy technique, marking a breakthrough in the decades-long effort to identify remains from Ground Zero. The advance offers renewed hope to families still awaiting answers nearly 24 years after the attacks, as forensic scientists continue testing thousands of unidentified fragments.

South Korea has expressed strong displeasure with Ukraine over the case of two North Korean soldiers captured while fighting alongside Russian forces. Seoul is reportedly frustrated by how Kyiv has handled the prisoners, who are believed to be the first North Korean troops taken alive. The dispute touches on sensitive questions about whether they should be sent to South Korea, where they could be questioned and offered resettlement, and what their capture reveals about North Korea's direct involvement in the war.

SpaceX has released its first-ever earnings report, revealing that revenue grew but the company remains unprofitable. The disclosure offers a rare financial glimpse into Elon Musk's privately held rocket and satellite company, and is drawing attention to how its Starship and Starlink ventures balance heavy spending against rising income.

OpenAI has decided not to release its next AI model, citing safety issues. The move, reported by the Financial Times, is drawing attention as one of the first times a major AI lab has publicly pulled a planned release on safety grounds, prompting debate about how cautious companies should be and what the decision means for competition in the industry.

South Africa's Proteas took on Australia in the first One Day International of their series, with highlights of the match drawing massive attention from cricket fans worldwide. The encounter is part of an ongoing bilateral ODI series between the two sides, with supporters closely following every moment as the teams battle for an early series advantage.

India and the West Indies are meeting in the first one-day international of their 2026 series, with fans following ball-by-ball commentary and live score updates as the match unfolds. The fixture has drawn large audiences tracking every over, with cricket followers debating team selections, early wickets and run rates as the game progresses.

Organisers of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games have unveiled initial details of the triathlon courses. The announcement offers the first look at how the swim, bike and run segments will be laid out for both the Olympic and Paralympic events. Further specifics on venues and course design are expected as planning for the 2028 Games continues.

SpaceX has launched its Starship into orbit for the first time, a milestone in the development of the giant rocket designed for deep space missions. The flight was cut short before completion, but the company and observers are treating the launch itself as a major step forward in getting the vehicle off the ground and into space.

South Sudan addressed the UN General Assembly with a call for elections to be decided by the ballot rather than violence, as the country prepares for its long-delayed national vote. The message, relayed by UN News and regional outlets, underscores international attention to whether South Sudan's transition and first elections since independence will proceed peacefully.

China's top diplomat Wang Yi told former Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya that relations between Beijing and Tokyo must be "normalized," during their talks. The meeting is the first high-level exchange since relations plummeted over Taiwan last year, and is being read as an early signal that both sides may be looking to stabilise a badly strained diplomatic relationship.

SpaceX's Starship, the largest rocket ever built, lifted off from Boca Chica, Texas, on its first integrated orbital test flight, but the mission ended early when the vehicle broke apart before completing its planned flight profile. The company framed the launch as a valuable test that gathered data for future attempts.Observers note that the booster failed to separate as planned and that the loss of the vehicle was within the range of expected outcomes for a first flight.

The Justice Department has filed its response to a lawsuit challenging the White House's ban of certain media outlets, and a legal expert has broken down what the filing signals about the government's defense. The case centers on press access and whether excluding news organizations from official events violates the First Amendment, with the DOJ's arguments now under scrutiny.

SpaceX's Starship, the largest rocket ever built, lifted off from the company's Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, on its first orbital-class test flight. The launch marks a major milestone for the program, which NASA has chosen to carry astronauts to the Moon, and drew wide attention as the most powerful rocket to date attempted its first integrated flight.