Latest news with #Texas
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mexico Threatens SpaceX Lawsuit After Texas Explosion
Mexico's president is threatening a lawsuit against American innovation — again. This time, it's Elon Musk's SpaceX that's in the crosshairs, after a recent rocket explosion at the company's Starbase launch site near Boca Chica, Texas. The site, located just miles from the southern border shared with Mexico, has become a symbol of both cutting-edge space technology and international friction. During a press conference on Wednesday, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that her administration is reviewing alleged 'contamination' from debris that crossed into Mexico during a test failure last week, per The Guardian. The explosion, which occurred during a routine ground test of the Starship system — as previously covered by The Dallas Express — sent a fireball into the sky, a spectacle that has become a fairly routine part of developing powerful next-generation rockets. 'Just a scratch,' Musk posted to X after the explosion. Sheinbaum claims that the fallout violates international law and says her government is preparing 'the necessary lawsuits' to hold SpaceX accountable. However, U.S. officials, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — have already reviewed environmental concerns surrounding the program. As recently as May, the FAA approved an increase in annual launches from five to 25, saying that the launch activity would not pose significant environmental threats, including to wildlife along the Gulf Coast. The rhetoric from Mexico's president appears to be following a familiar pattern. In May, Sheinbaum's government said it was suing Google over labeling in its Maps application, after the tech company allegedly renamed the 'Gulf of Mexico' the 'Gulf of America' for some users. SpaceX, which employs thousands in South Texas and draws global attention to the Lone Star State's emerging role in space exploration, has not commented publicly on the potential lawsuit as of time of publication. Still, Texans watching this latest dispute may see it as yet another example of foreign leaders targeting American companies for political leverage. For now, SpaceX continues to push forward with development — even if the 'path to Mars' Musk dreams of seems to draw critics from outsiders, or legal heat from Mexico's leaders. As previously reported by DX, earlier this week a multinational team of four private astronauts successfully reached the International Space Station, completing a landmark mission by Houston-based Axiom Space in collaboration with SpaceX. Launched Wednesday aboard SpaceX's new Dragon capsule nicknamed 'Grace' from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the crew docked with the ISS after a 28-hour journey. SpaceX confirmed the docking in a video post, celebrating the mission's smooth arrival.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mexico threatens lawsuit against SpaceX over Starship explosion 'contamination'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum has threatened to file a lawsuit against SpaceX over what the leader described as "contamination" following an explosion at SpaceX's Starbase facility earlier this month. On June 18, SpaceX was testing the upper stage of its Starship vehicle on a test stand at its Starbase site near Boca Chica Beach in Texas when Starship exploded in a dramatic fireball. SpaceX wrote on social media that there were no hazards to the surrounding communities following the explosion. But Sheinbaum contests that claim. In a press conference held on Wednesday (June 25), the Mexican president said there is a "general review underway of the international laws that are being violated" due to the fact that "there is contamination" stemming from Starship's explosion, according to Yucatan Magazine. The Guardian reports that Sheinbaum added that her government is looking to file "the necessary lawsuits" over the alleged contamination. SpaceX's Starbase testing and manufacturing facility is located near Boca Chica Beach. The area is at the very southeastern tip of Texas along the Rio Grande river, which divides the United States and Mexico. The Mexican city of Heroica Matamoros sits just across the border from Boca Chica and nearby Brownsville, Texas. This isn't the first time SpaceX has been threatened with environmental lawsuits, not to mention other legal cases. A coalition of environmental groups sued the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 2023, claiming the agency did not conduct proper analyses of the damage Starship could cause to the surrounding areas, which are home to protected species of birds. In 2024, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) reported that SpaceX had violated the Clean Water Act after releasing pollutants into nearby body of waters, according to CNBC. SpaceX refuted the claims, calling the reporting "factually inaccurate." Starship launches — and explosions — have left significant amounts of debris throughout Boca Chica Beach and surrounding areas in the past. When Starship launched on its debut flight on April 20, 2023, the rocket's 33 first-stage Raptor engines sent chunks of cement and other debris flying for miles. Local residents described the launch as "terrifying" and compared it to an earthquake. Pieces of debris rained down in every direction, even crushing a nearby car. That flight ended in an equally dramatic fashion when SpaceX triggered its onboard flight termination system, causing the vehicle to explode some three minutes after liftoff. Fragments of the Starship vehicle were found along shores surrounding the area in the days following the flight. Starship's upper stage has exploded and/or crashed into the sea on eight of its nine of its test flights to date (on two launches, the company managed to return the vehicle's Super Heavy booster to Starbase, where it was caught by the 'chopstick' arms on its launch tower). On its fifth flight in November 2023, Starship managed to make a pinpoint splashdown in the Indian Ocean.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Health
- Yahoo
BlueCross BlueShield at risk of losing CHRISTUS Health contract due to healthcare dispute
For decades BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas (BCBSTX) has been an accepted insurance provider for CHRISTUS Health, but that could all change if they cannot reach an agreement by July 1. Visit this article to learn more: KETK/FOX51 News covers East Texas, bringing you the latest local stories, weather, sports and lifestyle coverage from the Piney Woods. Keep up with KETK/FOX51 News: Download the KETK/FOX51 app: Subscribe to KETK/FOX51 News: Find us on Facebook: and
CBS News
an hour ago
- General
- CBS News
Fire prompts evacuation at Hulen Mall in Fort Worth
Fort Worth fire and police crews responded to a fire at Hulen Mall on Friday night, prompting evacuations, according to authorities. Craig Trojacek, a spokesperson for the Fort Worth Fire Department, confirmed that a third fire alarm had been triggered and that heavy smoke was pouring from the mall's second floor. Shoppers and employees were evacuated as a precaution. CBS News Texas will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Nicholas Hoult reveals 'worryingly' dangerous hobby that leaves film bosses terrified for the Superman star's safety
Nicholas Hoult has revealed his 'worryingly' dangerous hobby of racing Ferraris and said he has to often reassure film bosses. The British actor, 35, who plays Lex Luthor in the new Superman movie, explained just how terrifying his love of speed can be. The father-of-two told The Daily Mirror: 'The fastest I drove was at the Circuit of the Americans in Texas, we hit about 170mph'. 'I was trying not to glance down because you might miss something. Going in a straight line fast isn't the worrying bit. It's going around the corners, that's when things can go wrong'. Nicholas often shares his love for racing to Instagram alongside snaps of himself posing alongside numerous Ferrari supercars. In one gushing post he said: 'Since I was a kid I loved racing, I grew up watching F1 with my dad and now I get to share the passion with my boy. Never thought I'd get the chance to drive myself, dream come true' Nicholas is wed to stunning model Bryana Holly, 31, and together the fiercely private couple share son Joaquin, six, and another child born in 2022. Last year he confirmed the couple were married after sparking speculation when he referred to her as his 'wife'. The couple, who rarely make public appearances together, officially began dating in 2016 after meeting in Los Angeles. Warner Bros. released a new trailer for Superman earlier this month, as fans flocked to pick up their tickets just as they went on sale, seemingly at a record pace. Amazon announced also a special offer for Prime members to see Superman a few days before its July 11 release, with early screenings on July 8. With the trailer's debut on Wednesday, it was also announced by Fandango that the Prime early screenings were the ticket retailer's best first-day ticket pre-sales of 2025. Fans have not been hesitating to scoop up their own tickets for the July 11 release, with many taking to social media to show off their ticket purchases. Early box office projections have already been quite huge, with early numbers suggesting it could open between $154 million and $175 million. If this record pace continues, it could be even higher, as fans have continued to express their excitement on social media all day on Wednesday after the new trailer dropped. The trailer begins with a massive skyscraper falling and Superman (David Corenswet) swooping in to stop it from hitting the ground as we hear Lex Luthor (Nicholas) detailing his plan to destroy the Man of Steel. Luthor and his minions are seen destroying Superman's Fortress of Solitude, while we also see Superman/Clark Kent making out with Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), along with shots of his parents (Pruitt Taylor Vince, Neva Howell). Droids are seeing picking up a battered Superman and taking him to the Fortress, along with shots of Superman in battle with Luthor's various henchfolk. One particular shot fans have been cheering for shows Superman and his beloved dog Krypto the Superdog battle an enemy, literally punching his teeth out and hitting the camera lens, breaking the proverbial 'fourth wall.' Superman is also see clashing with the abrasive Green Lantern character Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), who challenges him to, 'make a move, big blue.' More shots show people all over the world rooting for Superman, which infuriates Luthor, who says, 'They chose him, let them die.' An exhausted Superman is also seen on the ground during a battle, as Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi) tells him, 'Hey, quit messing around!' Superman responds playfully (and tiredly), 'I'm not messing around, I'm doing important stuff,' another line that has clearly resonated with fans on social media. The final shot shows Superman using his eyeball lasers to take out a slew of enemies, which fans have praised as well, such as @UpToTASK, who said, 'YOOOOOOOOOOOOOO this is hard AF #Superman.' Another fan dubbed @DCUSuperboy said in all caps, 'I GENUINELY DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN LOOK AT THIS AND NOT BE HYPED FOR #SUPERMAN.' Of course, not everyone was as excited, with many like @agamelift still praising director Zack Snyder for his previous DCEU films. 'The #Superman blueprint is @ZackSnyder. This movie looks like complete garbage - Guardians of the Galaxy with Superman while copying major elements of Man of Steel and doing them worse. Yes, clearly the plot leak a few months back was legit,' he said. Others like Aaron Fischer blasted the movie for its comedic elements, stating he has, 'lost all hope for this film,' adding it will be, 'stupid and silly.' Still, many were so excited they bought tickets immediately, like @SupermanOnFilm, who said, 'I've already bought 8 tickets for opening weekend #Superman.'
