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Today’s Big Story

SpaceX rocket explodes

SpaceX’s brand new rocket exploded during takeoff and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico during its first test flight on Thursday. The unmanned 400-foot Starship was the biggest and most powerful ever built.

What happened?
During the launch, multiple engines didn’t fire on the 33-engine booster causing the rocket to lose altitude. The rocket exploded after a self-destruct mechanism kicked in once it began to fall. The plan was for the ship to travel around the world in 1 ½ hours, but it was only in the air 4 minutes before it burst into flames. (Check out a video here)

So was it a failure?
The launch was actually considered a success. Weeks before, CEO Elon Musk said “it has a 50-50 chance of reaching orbit” and clearing the launch pad and tower would be considered a win.

What’s next?
SpaceX plans to use what they learned Thursday and apply it to the next test flights, which will occur in rapid succession. Starship rockets will be reusable and Musk plans to use them to launch satellites into low-earth orbit. Eventually, they will ferry people to outer space and back.

Little Stories

Business & Economy

*BuzzFeed News is shutting down and its parent company will layoff 15% of its workforce. The media company went public in 2021 at a $720 million valuation, now it’s worth around $100 million.

*Ikea plans to spend $2.2 billion to expand in the US market over the next 3 years in hopes of competing with other big-box retailers like Walmart and Wayfair.

World News

*12.7 million children missed vaccine doses in Africa between 2019 and 2021 because of disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a UNICEF report, the country is now even more vulnerable to outbreaks of disease and will likely face a “child survival crisis”.

*At least 78 died and 73 were injured in a stampede at an event to provide financial aid in Yemen on Wednesday. People began trampling one another after security teams fired gunshots into the air in hopes of controlling the crowds.

Politics & Government

*The House of Representatives pushed through a new bill that bars transgender athletes, who were biological boys at birth from competing on federally assisted high school and college teams. However, the bill likely won’t become law because it has to pass through the Democratic-controlled Senate, where it will meet fierce opposition.

*Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Thursday that ends the requirement that juries must unanimously vote for the death penalty for a judge to sentence a defendant to death. Under the new bill, 8 of the 12 jurors must agree in order to proceed with a capital punishment sentence.

Sports & Entertainment

*James Harden got ejected during the 76ers game three win over the Nets.

*The Oakland A’s are moving to Las Vegas. The team entered into a binding agreement to purchase a plot of land near the strip, where they will build a $1.5 billion ballpark. 

One Liners

*If you’re an influencer, it’s best not to film yourself doing something illegal.

*Spend half a years salary at any of the best hotels and resorts in Asia.

*Australia experienced a rare solar eclipse on Thursday.