SMIC

SpaceX's Starship, the largest rocket ever built, is preparing for its first attempt to reach orbit. The milestone flight has drawn widespread attention because success would mark a major step for space exploration and could significantly lower the cost of reaching space, with potentially far-reaching effects on the industry.

Talksport pundit Simon Jordan has given a strong reaction to reports that Manchester City have been found in breach of the Premier League's financial rules, describing the outcome as 'seismic' for English football. The club, which has long denied any wrongdoing, now faces intense scrutiny over what sanctions or appeals could follow from the verdict.

Astronomers report detecting radio waves that may originate from an exoplanet, potentially the first such detection ever made. If confirmed, the signal would suggest the distant planet has a magnetic field, a property never directly observed on a world outside our solar system. The finding is drawing attention from space and astronomy enthusiasts following coverage by major science outlets, with researchers emphasising that further observations are needed to verify the origin of the emission.

Astronomers report that a stellar remnant, described as a zombie star, is repeatedly flashing toward Earth as it wobbles, with the pulses apparently caused by a large expelled cloud of gas. Researchers are calling the observations groundbreaking, saying they offer a rare look at the behavior of a star after it has survived or undergone an explosive event.

Scientists report that the Earth's crust beneath Italy is 'unzipping,' a process they say is driving seismic activity along the Apennine mountain range. The finding offers a new explanation for the earthquakes that regularly strike the Italian peninsula and is drawing attention for its striking description of how the crust is gradually pulling apart.

An artist is taking part in multiple October drawing challenges, posting a day-two piece of a space pirate character that also fits cosmic, cute girl and pretty boy prompt lists. The creator says the lighting and perspective did not turn out as intended and that piercings on the character's cat ears were missing, while sharing the work publicly anyway.

System76's COSMIC desktop environment project has introduced a new policy requiring contributors to confirm that their pull requests contain no code, comments, or descriptions generated by large language models. The move makes COSMIC one of the more explicit open-source projects in pushing back against AI-generated submissions, and it is drawing attention in the Linux and open-source communities as debates continue over AI content quality in collaborative development.

Fictograma has opened a call for submissions to its Halloween 2026 contest, inviting horror stories of all kinds, including cosmic, psychological, folk and body horror. Entries must be no longer than 3,500 words, with one work per author, and the contest runs from 1 to 31 October. Writers on the platform are sharing the announcement to encourage participation.

A leak about the iPhone 18 Pro's color lineup suggests Cosmic Orange, introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro, could be dropped when the new model arrives. Reports point to a fresh set of finishes for Apple's next flagship, fueling speculation about which shades Apple will keep or retire.

An artist taking part in the CosmicTober daily drawing challenge has posted their day three entry on the theme of black holes. They said the piece did not go as expected but that they enjoyed experimenting, while expressing some frustration over construction lines left in the wrong places.

Scientists report that the long-debated haze observed in Venus' upper atmosphere is caused by cosmic dust rather than previously suspected chemistry. The finding, covered by Ars Technica, resolves a persistent puzzle in observations of the planet, where an unexplained ultraviolet-absorbing layer has puzzled astronomers for decades. Researchers say the discovery refines understanding of Venus' atmosphere and the role interplanetary dust plays in planetary environments.

Astronomers may have picked up radio emissions from Beta Pictoris b, a young gas giant orbiting a star about 63 light-years from Earth. If confirmed, it would be the first time radio waves have been detected from an exoplanet, offering a new way to study planets beyond the solar system. Scientists are urging caution until independent observations verify the signal.

Curious Archive has released a new documentary on Nebula examining what it calls the scariest type of cosmic horror, the branch of science fiction built on humanity's insignificance in a vast, indifferent universe. The piece is part of Nebula's first-run originals lineup. Viewers are sharing the release and debating which stories best capture existential dread on this scale.

A Halloween 2026 horror short story contest has opened its call for entries, welcoming terror in all its forms, from cosmic to psychological. Writers may submit one work each, with a maximum length of 3,500 words, during October from the 1st to the 31st. The announcement is drawing attention from Spanish-speaking horror and book communities looking to take part.

Astronomers report that Earth and Mars did not form from the same mix of cosmic material, suggesting the two planets were built from distinct regions of the early solar nebula. Differences in their composition challenge the idea that rocky planets formed from a homogeneous soup of dust and gas.

A person with a chronic illness reports they remain in hospital, undergoing further bladder scans while waiting to learn whether they will be discharged today. They describe the situation briefly and say they are keeping their fingers crossed for a discharge the same day. The update is a personal health status note rather than a wider news event, and no further details about their condition or location are given.

Manchester City have issued a response following the Premier League's verdict in the long-running case over alleged financial rule breaches. The club's statement marks the latest development in a saga that has dragged on for years and could reshape English football, with reaction continuing to pour in from fans, pundits and rival clubs.