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Katy Perry joins all-female crew on space mission

Katy Perry joins all-female crew on Blue Origin mission, becoming first pop star in space, promoting female empowerment.

Published

9 months ago

April 15, 2025

Ahron Young

Katy Perry joins all-female crew on Blue Origin mission, becoming first pop star in space, promoting female empowerment.

In Short

Blue Origin launched its New Shepard rocket with an all-female crew, including Katy Perry, marking her as the first pop star in space.

The mission, which focused on female empowerment, allowed the crew to experience weightlessness and resulted in Perry singing “What a Wonderful World” after their return.

Blue Origin successfully launched its New Shepard rocket on Monday, carrying an all-female crew that included pop star Katy Perry, author Lauren Sanchez, TV presenter Gayle King, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, former rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn.

This flight marked Katy Perry as the first pop star to travel to space. The mission involved a brief experience of weightlessness during its eleven-minute journey, where the crew shared a message of female empowerment, saying “take up space.”

“What a Wonderful World”

Upon landing, Perry described the flight as a “10 out of 10” and expressed her connection to love during the experience. While she had originally promised to sing in space, she ultimately chose to perform Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” upon their return, emphasising the collective nature of their experience rather than her own.

Gayle King, who described the trip as enlightening, expressed reservations about being called an astronaut but recognised the unique perspective gained from viewing Earth from space. Her friend Oprah Winfrey, who watched the landing, noted the significance of the achievement, especially given King’s previous anxieties about flying.

Despite previous safety concerns raised by employees about the Blue Origin capsules, the company maintains a record of safety. This flight is part of Blue Origin’s ongoing mission program and aligns with their future plans involving lunar exploration. Perry expressed a sense of destiny in embarking on the journey, highlighting personal connections with the mission’s symbols.

News

Coalition cracks deepen as Nationals break ranks over Labor reforms

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

Published

24 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

A rift has emerged in the Coalition after three Nationals senators crossed the floor to vote against Labor’s post-Bondi hate group reforms, defying party lines and raising questions about their future in the shadow cabinet.

Their proposed amendment calling for greater scrutiny was rejected, and Labor’s legislation passed the Senate 38 votes to 22, cementing the reforms into law despite opposition pushback.

Coalition leadership will meet Wednesday to assess the political fallout, though some MPs consider the issue minor in terms of potential resignations. The incident highlights growing tensions within the party as internal discipline comes under pressure.

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News

Trump escalates Greenland rhetoric as Davos leaders push back on sovereignty

Trump claims U.S. alone can ensure Arctic peace, sparking backlash as Greenland’s sovereignty faces geopolitical tensions at Davos.

Published

24 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump claims U.S. alone can ensure Arctic peace, sparking backlash as Greenland’s sovereignty faces geopolitical tensions at Davos.

President Trump has intensified his remarks over Greenland, claiming the U.S. is the only nation capable of ensuring peace in the Arctic, sparking sharp pushback from European leaders. His rhetoric, including hints at potential tariffs, comes as international attention turns to the strategic territory.

The debate has dominated discussions at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where Trump confirmed plans to meet regarding Greenland following a positive conversation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Meanwhile, Greenland’s leadership has warned that the territory must be ready for potential military scenarios.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney also weighed in from Davos, drawing a firm line on sovereignty, declaring Greenland’s independence non-negotiable. The unfolding standoff highlights rising geopolitical tensions in the Arctic, with global powers increasingly staking their claims.

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OpenAI prepares first consumer device amid revenue boom

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

Published

2 days ago

January 20, 2026

Harvey Vargas

OpenAI plans to launch a screenless smart speaker by late 2026, shifting focus to hardware amid significant revenue growth.

OpenAI is gearing up to launch its first-ever consumer hardware device in late 2026. The product is expected to be a screenless smart speaker, signalling the tech giant’s move beyond software and into the world of physical devices.

The device comes after OpenAI acquired a promising hardware startup to accelerate development.

The company is also pushing a strategy to strengthen domestic manufacturing, working closely with U.S. manufacturers to secure efficient production of essential components.

Despite the progress, technical hurdles remain, especially around the device’s listening capabilities, which could delay the rollout.

This development comes on the heels of OpenAI reporting an annualised revenue of over $20 billion in 2025, representing a staggering 233% increase from the previous year. The combination of massive revenue growth and expansion into hardware marks a new era for the AI pioneer.

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