Mission goes ahead despite some fears an initial engine failure after the Texas launch would scupper the attempt

SpaceX has sent its enormous Starship rocket into Earth’s orbit for the first time on a milestone flight intended to pave the way for future missions to the moon and Mars.

The rocket, the largest and most powerful ever built, blasted off from SpaceX’s Starbase launch facility in Texas at 7.48am local time (1.48pm BST), marking its 14th test flight and first attempt to circle the planet before falling back to Earth.

Preparation begins for extreme conditions as Nolo bears down on areas still recovering from previous storms

Heavy rain and powerful winds are expected to bring flash floods and extreme surf to the Hawaiian islands over the weekend as Hurricane Nolo bears down on areas still recovering from previous storms.

Nolo was churning slowly south of Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday with maximum sustained winds of 105mph (165km/h). The storm’s center was about 145 miles (235km) south of Hawaii’s southern-most point and could strengthen into a potentially life-threatening and catastrophic storm through the weekend.

• Leeds 12-14 Warrington

• Late penalty clinches Old Trafford trip

Warrington Wolves reached their first Super League Grand Final in almost a decade after emerging through an absorbing playoff semi-final against Leeds Rhinos to move within 80 minutes of a first league title in over 70 years.

The Wire have not been at Old Trafford since 2018 and remain without a league title of any kind since 1955, one of the longest streaks in rugby league. But that streak is now one victory away from ending after Sam Burgess’ side navigated past the Rhinos on a gripping night at Headingley thanks to a dramatic late Ewan Irwin penalty.