SpaceX on Thursday, conducted the eighth test flight of its Starship launch vehicle from the Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas. The Super Heavy booster (B15) was successfully caught by the launch tower's mechanical arms, known as Mechazilla, but the upper stage (Ship 34) experienced a "rapid unscheduled disassembly" (RUD) during its ascent burn, resulting in the loss of the spacecraft.

Thursday's flight aimed to deploy four Starlink satellite simulators, conduct reentry experiments, and test the upper stage's ability to relight its engines in space.

The launch occurred at approximately 2330 UTC. About seven minutes after liftoff, the Super Heavy booster executed a precision boost back burn and was successfully caught by Mechazilla, marking the third successful catch in four attempts.

At around 10 minutes after liftoff, SpaceX reported a "rapid unscheduled disassembly" of the upper stage (Ship 34). Contact was lost with the spacecraft, and it was observed breaking apart, with debris seen streaking across the sky.

"During Starship's ascent burn, the vehicle experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly and contact was lost," SpaceX wrote on X. "Our team immediately began coordination with safety officials to implement pre-planned contingency responses. We will review the data from today's flight test to better understand root cause. As always, success comes from what we learn, and today’s flight will offer additional lessons to improve Starship's reliability."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) briefly issued ground stop orders for multiple Florida airports due to the potential debris threat. SpaceX immediately began coordinating with safety officials to implement pre-planned contingency responses and will review the data from the flight test to better understand the root cause of the failure.

The seventh flight test also experienced a failure due to a propellant system issue, leading to the destruction of the vehicle.

This was the second flight of a Block 2 ship, featuring several upgrades, including a 25% increase in propellant capacity and redesigned avionics.

Despite Thursday's setback, SpaceX remains committed to the Starship program, which is designed to create a fully reusable spacecraft capable of transporting crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday night local time delivered his first address to a joint session of Congress in his second term, outlining his legislative priorities and touting his administration's early accomplishments. The speech was marked by a mix of defiant optimism and criticism of his opponents.

Trump declared that his administration has accomplished more in the first 43 days than most administrations have in four years, emphasizing a 41-point jump in small-business optimism and a 27-point swing in public perception of the country's direction.

The president announced that he has signed nearly 100 executive orders and taken over 400 executive actions, which he described as a record. These actions were aimed at restoring "common sense, safety, optimism, and wealth" across the country.

Trump declared a national emergency on the southern border and deployed the U.S. military and border patrol to "repel the invasion." He noted that illegal border crossings last month were the lowest ever recorded.

The president proposed cutting taxes on domestic production and manufacturing, retroactive to January 20, 2025. He also announced tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, stating that other countries have used tariffs against the U.S. for decades.

Trump also highligted his efforts against far woke ideology.

"We've ended the tyranny of so-called diversity, equity and inclusion policies all across the entire federal government and, indeed, the private sector and our military. And our country will be woke no longer." Trump said.

He continued, "We believe that whether you are a doctor, an accountant, a lawyer or an air traffic controller, you should be hired and promoted based on skill and competence, not race or gender. Very important."

The president noted, "I signed an order making it the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female."

Trump also commented on the Russia-Ukraine war. He mentioned receiving a letter from Volodymyr Zelensky during his speech. In the letter, the Ukrainian president expressed readiness to sign a minerals deal and a willingness to engage in peace negotiations.

He read parts of the letter to Congress, stating, "We really do value how much America has done to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it at any time that is convenient for you." Trump appreciated the letter and indicated that it was a sign of warming relations between the two leaders following their contentious Oval Office meeting.

During his remarks about Ukraine Trump trolled far-left Democrat senator Elizabeth Warrem .who he called "Pocahontas."

“I’m also working tirelessly to end the savage conflict in Ukraine. Millions of Ukrainians and Russians have been needlessly killed or wounded in this horrific and brutal conflict with no end in sight," Trump said. "The United States has sent hundreds of billions of dollars to support Ukraine’s defense, with no security, with no anything.”

As Democrats in attendance started to applaud, Trump asked, “Do you want to keep it going for another five years? Yeah, you would say. Pocahontas says yes.”

The Republicans then burst into laughter as the camera turned to Warren, showing her smiling and clapping.

“Two thousand people are being killed every single week. More than that,” Trump continued. “They’re Russian young people, they’re Ukrainian young people, they’re not Americans, but I want it to stop. Meanwhile, Europe has sadly spent more money buying Russian oil and gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine, by far. Think of that.”

Trump has repeatedly referred to Warren as “Pocahontas,” in reference to the famous 17th century Native American woman, as part of a jab at Warren’s fraudulent claims to Native American ancestry.

In 2018, after he received criticism from Democrats over the nickname, Trump vowed to continue using it, arguing it was “too good to give up.”

During his speech Tuesday night, Trump called out Democrats' conduct in the chamber for heckling and disrupting, saying that they would not clap, stand, or cheer for any of his achievements. Far-left Democrat Congressman Al Green was removed from the chamber for standing up and loudly interrupting Trump.

The president called on Democrats to join in celebrating "incredible wins for America" for the good of the nation.

During the speech, Trump honored DJ Daniel, a 13-year-old cancer patient who dreams of becoming a police officer. Trump introduced DJ to the audience, noting that DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2018 and given only five months to live, but has since surpassed that prognosis by over six years.

In a heartwarming moment, Trump announced that Daniels would be sworn in as an honorary Secret Service agent in a moment that drew cheers from Republicans in the House gallery.

“He has always dreamed of becoming a police officer. But in 2018, DJ was diagnosed with brain cancer,” Trump said, before adding: “And tonight, DJ, we’re going to do you the biggest honor of them all.”

Critics slammed Democrat congressmembers in attendance, who refused to give a standing ovation as the president introduced DJ Daniel, and victims of crimes by illegal aliens.

Far-left MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace also faced backlash as critics online called for her firing and an apology over her distasteful comments about DJ Daniel.

“I hope he’s alive for another 95 years and I hope he lives the life he wants to live. He wants to be a cop, he knows what he wants to do and maybe when you have childhood cancer that crystallizes for you,” Wallace said.

Then, in a reference to the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, Wallace said: “I hope he never has to defend the United States Capitol against Donald Trump’s supporters and if he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide.”

Trump also slammed Democrats in post on Truth Social Wednesday. “The Democrats should lose the Midterms based on their behavior at last night’s Joint Address to Congress,” he wrote. “All Republicans must use their behavior on men in women’s sports, their very dangerous Open Border policy, High Energy and Taxes, and much else.”

He continued, “Also, Republicans should utilize the footage provided on the total disrespect they showed to all of those that were honored that night, including young ladies who were killed by illegal migrants, people with terminal cancer, etc. They didn’t even have the common courtesy to stand, smile, or applaud. This could be, on analyzing the full tape of this Historic Event, your full CAMPAIGN TO VICTORY!”

The speech was delivered to the 119th United States Congress, presided over by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Vice President JD Vance. It was not officially a State of the Union address because it was the first address in Trump's second nonconsecutive term. Presidents typically do not designate their first speech in a new term as a State of the Union.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly ordered a pause in all military aid to Ukraine, effective immediately, following a heated confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office on Friday. The move is aimed at pushing Ukraine and Russia to engage in peace talks to end the long-running war.

“President Trump has been clear that he is focused on peace," a White Hoiuse official reportedly said.  "We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution.”

Monday's decision follows a contentious meeting where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky for perceived ingratitude and lack of commitment to peace.

Trump is focused on reaching a peace deal and wants Zelensky to demonstrate a good-faith commitment to ending the conflict. Monday's development marks a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Ukraine and could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing conflict.

A proposed deal for U.S. access to Ukraine's critical minerals, which was to help pay back over $180 billion in aid, was also put on hold after the contentious Oval Office meeting.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer rallied his 18 European counterparts Sunday to shore up their borders and throw their full weight behind Ukraine as he announced outlines of a plan to end Russia’s war. “Every nation must contribute to that in the best way that it can, bringing different capabilities and support to the table, but all taking responsibility to act, all stepping up their own share of the burden,” he said.

Starmer said they would develop a “coalition of the willing” to defend Ukraine and guarantee the peace.

“Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean that we sit back,” he said. “Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency. The U.K. is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others.”

He said such mission would require strong U.S. backing. He claimed that there were “intense discussions” to get a security guarantee from the U.S.

“If there is to be a deal, if there is to be a stopping of the fighting, then that agreement has to be defended, because the worst of all outcomes is that there is a temporary pause and then Putin comes again,” Starmer said. He said he will later bring a more formal plan to the U.S. and work with Trump.

Zelensky also reportedly told reporters the peace deal with Russia is "is still very very far away." The comments drew sharp criticisms from Trump who also criticized Starmer's statement.

"This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelenskyy, and America will not put up with it for much longer!" Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday. "It is what I was saying, this guy doesn’t want there to be Peace as long as he has America’s backing and, Europe, in the meeting they had with Zelenskyy, stated flatly that they cannot do the job without the U.S. – Probably not a great statement to have been made in terms of a show of strength against Russia. What are they thinking?"

Later at a press conference Monday, Trump repeated the criticism, saying "President Zelenskyy supposedly made a statement today --- He said he thinks the war is going to go on for a long time and he better not be right about that. That's all I'm saying."

Meanwhile on the war front, an oil pipeline in Russia was attacked by Ukrainian drones, causing a fire, and a deadly Russian strike on a Ukrainian military training ground has led to an investigation.

The UN nuclear watchdog chief, Rafael Grossi, defended his staff's travel to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant through Russian-occupied territory, despite Ukraine's condemnation.