Why SpaceX's Starship Hasn't Launched (Yet)

Thousands of spectators turned out for the takeoff of SpaceX's "Starship" overnight – the biggest space rocket ever launched. Fueled by 33 raptor engines and carrying with it all of humanity's hopes for a shining star-faring future.

STARSHIP DELAY
At 120 metres high, it's the biggest rocket in the world -- almost double the height of the statue of liberty, or more than eight Giant Koalas high for an Aussie reference! The goal is to test the rocket without anyone on board in preparation for future human-crewed flights to the Moon or even Mars. Thousands gathered to see this moment in space technology history. However, the launch was halted in the final moments due to what they're calling "a pressurisation issue". But it didn't leave these superfans too disappointed, some had even come prepared for a delay, while others were just happy to be there. For now though, the launch has been postponed for at least 48 hours, so these rocket-watchers will have to wait a little longer before takeoff.

MELBOURNE POPULATION
Melbourne has officially taken over Sydney as the most populated city in Australia! The latest figures from The Australian Bureau of Statistics put Melbourne's population at 4,875,400, 18,700 more than Sydney. The Victorian capital actually slipped ahead on a technicality, because the border for the Melbourne Urban Area was redrawn to include the city of Melton, which used to be considered as 'Greater Melbourne'. It's the first time Melbourne's held the title since the gold rush in 1905.

GRANNY PROJECT
A group of refugee students in Adelaide are getting some extra help learning English from local grannies! Meet the 'the Grannies' who've got their retirement plans set on making a difference. They're all helping students at this school in Adelaide learn how to read! Most of these kids are refugees from Afghanistan who arrived in Australia speaking little to no English. The project kicked off during the COVID pandemic to help kids continue with their learning, and as a way to bring the community together. Three years on, about one hundred of the school's five hundred students are now involved in the program, and not only have literacy skills sky-rocketed, great friendships have formed too.

LARGEST RUBY
First up, to the largest ruby in the world. It's going up for auction in Hong Kong, where it's expected to fetch more than 44 million dollars, making it also the most expensive ruby ever sold at auction. The ruby was found in Mozambique, is 55.2 carats, and has the nickname "Estrela de Fura", or Star of Fura.

RAMADAN
Now, to tens of thousands of people who have gathered at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem to celebrate what's known as the "Night Of Power". It's the night Muslims believe the Koran was first handed down to them, and that taking part in this night alone is worth more than 1000 months of prayer.

SNOOKER PROTEST
And finally, to the World Snooker Championships in England. I don't think this is part of the game. Nope, it was a protest against the UK government approving new oil and gas projects. And that orange stuff is powdered dye! This guy is part of a group called "Just Stop Oil," the same group that threw tomato soup on an old Vincent Van Gogh painting a little while back, so it's not the first time they've stopped a show.

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