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.

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.

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.

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan for a reciprocal State Visit at the White House. The administration framed the visit as a chance to advance the U.S.-China relationship through trade and investment, with Trump saying his approach puts America first while engaging Beijing at the highest level.

Germany has for the first time formally pledged to phase out fossil fuels, setting a target date of 2045. The commitment marks a significant step in the country's energy transition and aligns with its existing goal of climate neutrality by 2045. Observers are weighing how Europe's largest economy will manage the shift away from coal, oil and gas while maintaining industrial competitiveness and energy security.

Ukraine's Third Army Corps says it used grenade-launcher ground robots to strike Russian shelters, with infantry remaining out of direct contact. Operators reportedly controlled the machines from tens of kilometers away. According to United24, no side has used similar tactics before in this war, and the assault is drawing wide attention as an example of remote ground warfare.

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.

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.

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.

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.

SpaceX has launched its Starship spacecraft aboard the company's giant Super Heavy rocket on the vehicle's first flight intended to reach orbit. The test flight marks a major milestone for the most powerful rocket ever built, which SpaceX hopes will eventually carry crews to the Moon and Mars. Coverage is focused on the launch itself and what it means for future deep-space missions.

SpaceX is preparing to launch its Starship rocket to orbit for the first time, a milestone for the company's next-generation heavy-lift vehicle. The flight would mark a major step in Elon Musk's plans for deep-space travel, and the anticipation of the debut orbital test is drawing wide attention across the space and technology communities.

SpaceX has launched its Starship rocket on its first orbital test mission, a major milestone for the company's next-generation launch system. The flight marks the most ambitious test yet of the vehicle SpaceX plans to use for missions to the Moon and eventually Mars. Observers are watching closely to see how the rocket performs through launch and orbital flight stages.

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.

SpaceX has launched its enormous Starship into orbit for the first time, successfully delivering the newest and most advanced Starlink satellites yet. However, flight controllers brought the spacecraft back to Earth early on Monday rather than completing six full laps around the planet as planned. The milestone flight is being closely watched as a major step for the rocket programme.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has lifted its cash rate to 4.60%, up from 4.35% and in line with expectations. It is the first hike of this cycle, and markets and economists are watching for what the move signals about the bank's fight against persistent inflation and whether further tightening will follow.

SpaceX launched its supersized Starship into orbit for the first time, but the flight ended earlier than planned. The test flight marks a milestone for the largest rocket ever built, even though the mission did not run its full course. The outcome is fueling debate about the rocket's readiness and the pace of SpaceX's test program.

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.

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.