Super Heavy

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 moving ahead with Starship Flight 14, the latest test mission in the company's campaign to prove out its reusable super-heavy launch system. Details of the launch date and mission objectives are limited so far, but the flight is drawing attention as SpaceX continues rapid iterations of the rocket at Starbase, Texas, in support of NASA's lunar ambitions.

Meteorologists are warning of a rare and exceptionally strong Super El Niño, described as having 'Godzilla strength,' now underway. The climate pattern can bring extreme weather worldwide, including heavy storms, droughts and temperature swings, which could cause flight delays, cancellations and disrupted holidays. Travelers are being urged to monitor forecasts and build flexibility into upcoming trips as conditions develop.

SpaceX's Starship Flight 14 launch, using Super Heavy booster B21 and Starship S41, is being followed live by a large audience, with French-language streams drawing particular attention. Viewers are watching for the flight's performance and progress toward orbital capability, and reactions are focused on whether the vehicle hits its test objectives.

Nigeria's Super Eagles are preparing to face Guinea-Bissau in a football fixture drawing heavy search interest across the US, UK and Canada. Former Nigeria international Aigbovo has urged the squad to approach Guinea-Bissau's 'wild dogs' style with caution, warning that the underdogs will fight hard for a result in the tie.

Travel experts are warning travelers to prepare for a rare super El Niño event, advising people to act on official warnings rather than waiting for visible weather changes. The guidance comes as forecasters flag an unusually strong El Niño pattern, which can bring extreme weather disruptions, from heavy storms to droughts, across popular travel destinations worldwide, affecting flights, bookings and holiday plans.

Discussion is underway about SpaceX's decision to drop one grid fin from the Super Heavy booster, a change analysts say saves weight and cost without hurting the rocket's ability to steer during descent. Space commentators argue the removed fin was redundant, since the remaining fins provide enough control authority for booster recovery, making the simplification an efficient engineering trade-off.