U.S. stocks edged lower as investors navigated a mix of rising oil prices, corporate earnings signals, and shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all turned down after early gains, reflecting a market grappling with geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Indexes Pull Back All three major indexes slipped roughly between 0.3% and 0.6%, giving back some of the previous session’s momentum. The downturn followed renewed volatility in energy markets and cautious sentiment around consumer spending. Oil Prices Add Fresh Pressure Crude prices extended their sharp rally, driven by heightened worries over a potential U.S.–Iran conflict. Brent crude climbed above $71 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $66 — its biggest daily jump since October. Rising energy costs revived inflation concerns and weighed on equities. Walmart Earnings in Focus Walmart posted stronger‑than‑expected results, but its cautious pro...
Starship's Fiery Setback: SpaceX Faces Another Explosion
SpaceX's ambitious Starship program encountered another hurdle as its massive spacecraft exploded during its eighth test flight. The incident occurred shortly after liftoff from the Boca Chica launch site in Texas. The upper stage of the rocket spun uncontrollably before breaking apart, scattering fiery debris over the Caribbean.
This marks the second consecutive failure for the Starship program this year, following a similar mishap during its seventh test flight. Despite these setbacks, SpaceX remains committed to refining the rocket, which is central to Elon Musk's vision of future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident, temporarily halting air traffic in parts of Florida due to concerns over space debris. SpaceX has described the explosion as a "learning opportunity" and plans to implement safety improvements for future launches.
While the Super Heavy booster successfully returned to the launch pad, the failure of the upper stage highlights the challenges of developing cutting-edge space exploration technology. SpaceX continues to push the boundaries, undeterred by these fiery setbacks.
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