SpaceX makes history catching part of returning spacecraft

Part of SpaceX's Starship rocket was caught as it descended back to Earth in Texas. It's the first time the upper section of a reusable rocket has ever been captured. Mechanical arms carried out a "chopstick" manoeuvre to catch the spacecraft. The breakthrough could dramatically cut the cost of space travel and marks a major step towards making Starship suitable for human spaceflight.

Also: Ukraine's president says the US has, for the first time, floated the idea of Ukraine joining NATO in exchange for ceding control of the Donbas region to Russia. We hear from the first black senator of the US state of Mississippi in 145 years. A fierce debate is brewing in Germany over the future of Hitler's Eagle's Nest after the building was destroyed by fire. A leading specialist in detecting digitally manipulated images warns that deepfakes are becoming almost impossible to spot. And a Philippine teenager has won the first-ever Eurovision Asia competition.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: [email protected] Photo: SpaceX Starship 42 returns from orbit to the launch pad on the 15th test flight from the SpaceX launch complex in Starbase, Texas, US, November 14, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Steve Nesius