Super Why

SpaceX flew the fourteenth test flight of its Starship rocket, streaming the launch live and culminating in a splashdown of the Super Heavy booster. Coverage from spaceflight commentators drew over a million engagements as viewers watched the booster's descent and ocean landing attempt, adding to ongoing scrutiny of the vehicle's progress toward operational missions.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has delivered pointed remarks suggesting that the world's major powers are not as strong as they believe, telling them plainly that 'their power isn't so super.' Commentators read the comments as a veiled criticism of Donald Trump and his administration's approach to global affairs, and the remarks have drawn wide attention online.

SpaceX's Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, is preparing for its biggest and riskiest test flight to date. The upcoming mission is expected to push the super heavy-lift vehicle through more ambitious maneuvers than previous attempts, carrying a real possibility of failure. The test is being closely watched as a key step toward future deep-space missions.

SpaceX launched its Starship spacecraft aboard the giant Super Heavy rocket on the vehicle's first attempt to reach orbit. The flight, watched live by audiences worldwide, marks the maiden orbital test of the most powerful rocket ever built, a key step in SpaceX's plans for deep space missions.

SpaceX has launched its Starship rocket on its first orbital test flight, a major milestone for the company's next-generation launch vehicle. The flight marks the first time the fully stacked Starship and Super Heavy booster have flown together, advancing SpaceX's plans for deep space missions. Observers are following how the uncrewed test performs as the most powerful rocket ever built attempts the demonstration.

SpaceX is preparing to launch its Starship rocket on its first planned flight into Earth orbit, a milestone test for the vehicle designed for missions to the Moon and Mars. The uncrewed flight would be the first time Starship flies as a full stack, with the Super Heavy booster and upper stage together. Success would mark a major step for Elon Musk's company and for NASA's lunar plans, which rely on a Starship variant.

At the United Nations, world leaders are framing the risks of artificial intelligence in starkly different ways. Some warn of autonomous 'killer robots' on the battlefield, while others point to the longer-term threat of 'super intelligence' beyond human control. The divide highlights the challenge of crafting international AI governance, with countries prioritising different dangers as they push for new rules on the fast-moving technology.

A New York Times opinion piece warns that the current strong El Niño, a warming of the tropical Pacific that shifts global weather patterns, is set to drive severe conditions including heatwaves, droughts, floods and storms across many regions. The author urges governments and the public to prepare now for the disruption, arguing that early planning could limit the damage as the phenomenon reaches full strength in the coming months.

The United States and China have agreed to open a dialogue on superintelligence, a move aimed at managing growing tensions over artificial intelligence between the two powers. The agreement signals an effort by Washington and Beijing to establish communication channels on advanced AI risks even as they compete for leadership in the technology.

SpaceX has launched the fourteenth test flight of its Starship rocket from its Texas launch site. The flight is part of the company's program to develop the fully reusable heavy-lift vehicle intended for missions to the Moon and Mars. Observers are following the test to see how the vehicle and its Super Heavy booster perform.

A New York Times opinion piece argues that the emerging super El Niño, while expected to bring severe weather impacts worldwide, gives governments and communities valuable lead time to prepare. The author urges using the advance warning to strengthen defenses against likely heatwaves, droughts, floods and other disruptions linked to the climate pattern.

The New York Times has published live tracking maps following Typhoon Surigae, which formed in the western Pacific and intensified into one of the strongest storms of the season. The maps show the typhoon's projected path, wind speeds and areas at risk, helping readers follow its movement across the region.

SpaceX launched its Super Heavy-Starship rocket, described as the most powerful rocket ever made, from its Starbase facility in Texas. The flight went ahead successfully, but financial commentary noted that the stock price of Tesla, where SpaceX is not directly listed, barely reacted to the news. Observers pointed out that investor reaction to space milestones has become muted compared with earlier launches.

The White House says President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have agreed to establish a dialogue on artificial intelligence, described as a 'super intelligence' conversation between the two powers. The announcement signals an attempt to open a communication channel between Washington and Beijing on advanced AI as both countries race to develop the technology. Observers are weighing what the dialogue could mean for AI governance and US-China relations.

California is preparing for flooding and landslides as forecasters expect a super El Niño this year, a warming of equatorial Pacific waters that disrupts weather patterns worldwide. After years of coastal erosion, communities such as Pacifica, south of San Francisco, are already showing strain, and officials worry heavy winter storms could worsen damage to weakened cliffs and hillsides.

America's wealthiest donors are funnelling hundreds of millions of dollars into the upcoming midterm elections, with business media now tracking the biggest contributors so far. The spending highlights how billionaire-funded super PACs and large individual donations continue to shape congressional and state races, raising fresh attention on the scale of money in US politics ahead of voting day.

Chinese researchers say they have developed an electron gun beam described as world-leading, a key step toward building an advanced 'super microscope' for studying materials at extremely small scales. The announcement, reported by the South China Morning Post, is being read as another signal of China's push to compete with the United States and others in cutting-edge scientific instruments.

SpaceX is preparing the 14th flight test of its Starship Super Heavy rocket, with the mission also set to deploy Starlink satellites. The orbital launch test forms part of the company's iterative campaign to prove out the vehicle for future missions, and attention is focused on how the booster and upper stage perform during the attempt.

Tottenham Hotspur Women are set to face Aston Villa Women in a Women's Super League fixture, with previews focusing on the head-to-head record between the two sides. Fans are looking at how each team's recent form might shape the match as the WSL season continues, with both clubs seeking points in the league standings.

NFL gameday coverage centers on Brock Purdy, described as being 'in prime' form for the San Francisco 49ers, while Patrick Mahomes continues his pursuit of a Tom Brady record and Dexter Lawrence is highlighted as a key figure in the Cincinnati Bengals' Super Bowl push. The story bundles the league's biggest narratives into one gameday preview.

Latest odds for the 2026 Super Bowl show the Los Angeles Rams remain the favorites even after a loss, while the Green Bay Packers have dropped down the betting board. Oddsmakers appear unconvinced by the Rams' defeat, but the Packers' slide suggests growing doubt about their form as the season unfolds.

CBS News' political round-up focuses on fresh super PAC spending pouring into a closely contested governor's race, alongside a look at outreach to Hispanic Republicans. The segment examines how outside money could influence the outcome and why both parties are courting Hispanic voters more aggressively this cycle.

The USGS has published an assessment of regional impacts from a super El Niño event, focusing on the Southwestern United States. The outlook highlights heightened risks for the region, which typically faces heavier rainfall, flooding and storm damage during strong El Niño episodes. Interest is focused on what the strengthened pattern could mean for water supplies, infrastructure and communities across the Southwest.

China has reportedly reached a new milestone with an advanced super microscope, a development being framed as potentially significant for science and technology. The claim has circulated through physics-focused news outlets, though few details about the instrument, its capabilities, or the research it enables are available. Observers are watching to see what the advance could mean for fields that depend on high-resolution imaging.

A strong, or 'super', El Niño event is being linked to significant regional weather impacts across the Midwestern United States. The phenomenon, driven by unusually warm Pacific Ocean waters, typically alters precipitation and temperature patterns, affecting the Midwest's agriculture, flooding risks and winter conditions. Attention is focused on how this cycle may play out differently for the region.

Super Bowl champion wide receiver Tyreek Hill has hinted he could soon return to the NFL, prompting speculation about where he might land next. Coverage, including from CBS Sports, is focused on which teams could be in the mix for the star receiver if he does come back to the league.

Super PAC spending is rising on both sides of the Texas Senate race between Ken Paxton and James Talarico, one of the most closely watched contests of the cycle. Outside groups are pouring money into advertising as the race remains tight, and commentators are debating which candidate is benefiting more from the surge in outside spending.

Reports say organizers of the Super Bowl halftime show are targeting two megastars for the upcoming performance. Details about which artists and whether either has agreed have not been confirmed, leaving fans to speculate online about who might take one of the most watched stages in music. The halftime booking is typically announced months before the game and routinely generates major buzz.