Nov 14, 2026, 11:00 PM UTC

SpaceX launched its 15th Starship test flight from Texas on Friday, attempting an unprecedented dual recovery of both rocket stages using launch tower mechanical arms. However, the mission suffered a setback shortly after liftoff when technical issues forced engineers to abort the catch attempt for the lower booster stage.

Instead of returning to the launchpad, the booster executed a controlled descent into the sea, where it exploded upon impact. Despite the failure to catch the first stage, the upper Starship vehicle successfully reached orbit to deploy 15 Starlink satellites as part of a scheduled 22-hour orbital mission.

SpaceX continues to iterate on Starship's design to achieve full reusability for future deep-space exploration.

Sources: BBC News, Der Standard, FAZ, France24, The Guardian

Bulgarian police have detained a Romanian truck driver in connection with the massive chain-reaction crash on the Trakia highway that left at least 11 people dead and dozens injured. Investigators are questioning the driver to determine if his vehicle decelerated abruptly in dense fog, triggering the multi-car collision.

Prosecution officials have interviewed 44 witnesses as part of the ongoing inquiry into the sequence of events leading up to the disaster. Authorities are currently reviewing vehicle telemetry and witness accounts to assess potential liability. Meanwhile, emergency crews completed the removal of wreckage from the thoroughfare following overnight clearance operations.

Sources: Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, TV8, Ziarul de Gardă

Following decisive Democratic victories in the US midterm elections, political friction in Washington has intensified. Diplomat George Kent noted that the major shift in Congress underlines widespread voter dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump's administration and leadership style.

After initially pledging to accept the results, Trump publicly questioned the election's integrity on social media. He also instructed the Department of Justice to investigate Democratic legislators, alleging they used threats of impeachment to pressure senior officials.

Meanwhile, in a CBS broadcast, Trump defended his diplomatic approach toward Russia, asserting he has maintained a firm stance. Addressing the conflict in Eastern Europe, he remarked that a post-war Ukraine would likely assume a "slightly different shape."

Sources: NV, Point, The Insider, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда.

Polish citizens have shown widespread solidarity following the 7 November mass shooting in Krakow's main square, which left six dead and 15 wounded. A fundraising campaign for two police officers injured while apprehending the gunman raised over €1.13 million within 17 hours. Urges for blood donations continue across Poland for Officer Jakub Kulik, a former paratrooper who remains in critical condition.

Authorities stated that police responded within 23 seconds of receiving the emergency call to neutralize the 24-year-old suspect. The wounded officers received immediate medical attention from two prominent surgeons dining nearby. While all 15 injured bystanders are currently in stable condition, investigators are working to determine the shooter's motive after discovering three of his relatives dead at his residence.

Sources: Adevărul, Digi24, HotNews, TV8, Ziarul de Gardă.

Meta has confirmed it will appeal an €805 million fine imposed by Italy's Data Protection Authority over unauthorized access to device media. The penalty, announced by the Italian regulator, targets a Facebook Android feature introduced in 2023 titled "Get suggestions from your gallery when browsing Facebook."

According to the authority, the tool accessed photos, videos, and associated metadata belonging to approximately 20 million Italian Android users without obtaining explicit prior consent or providing adequate disclosures. The regulator ordered Meta to revise the feature to require affirmative opt-ins. Meta maintains that the system complied with legal requirements and announced plans to challenge the decision in court. The fine represents one of the largest regulatory penalties issued against the tech giant under European privacy rules.

Sources: Il Messaggero, La Tribune, Le Soir, ORF, RTBF Info