News

Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic takes first tourists to space

Published

2 years ago

August 11, 2023

Richard Branson’s long-anticipated venture, Virgin Galactic, achieved a significant milestone as it carried its first group of tourists to the edge of space.

The event marked Branson’s inaugural customer flight after facing years of delays, heralding the beginning of Virgin Galactic’s offering of monthly space rides. This achievement places Virgin Galactic alongside Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the competitive space tourism industry.

The successful flight saw the rocket soaring into space with a select group of passengers, including a former British Olympian and a mother-daughter duo from the Caribbean. This monumental step forward signifies the company’s readiness to offer its commercial space travel services to the public.

Jon Goodwin, a remarkable 89-year-old athlete who competed in canoeing during the 1972 Olympics, was among the first ticket buyers back in 2005 when the ticket prices were a modest $200,000. The cost of a ticket has since surged to a staggering $450,000. Accompanying Goodwin on this historic journey were Keisha Schahaff, a 46-year-old health coach from Antigua, and her 18-year-old daughter, Anastatia Mayers, a student at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.

Amid the cheers of onlookers at Spaceport America in the New Mexico desert, Goodwin shared his excitement, proclaiming, “That was by far the most awesome thing I’ve ever done in my life.” The mother-daughter duo made a triumphant return, exchanging high-fives and fist pumps with the elated crowd.

Gender balance

Remarkably, the flight marked a significant achievement in gender balance, with women outnumbering men onboard, a rare occurrence in spaceflight history.

The spaceplane’s journey extended approximately 15 minutes, reaching a height of 55 miles. Although this marked Virgin Galactic’s seventh space journey since 2018, it was the company’s first voyage with a paying customer. Notably, Richard Branson himself joined the first full-size crew ride in 2021, demonstrating his commitment to the venture.

Branson’s innovative company had previously held a virtual lottery to select its first 50 customers, known as the Founding Astronauts. Given his age and Parkinson’s disease, Jon Goodwin was designated as the first passenger.

Following the successful flight, Richard Branson expressed his elation on Twitter, congratulating the commercial astronauts and warmly welcoming them to the exclusive space-travel “club.”

With about 800 individuals currently on Virgin Galactic’s waiting list, the demand for such experiences remains strong. The company’s achievement is a testament to the growing allure of space tourism and the technological advancements driving it.

News

Greenland says “No” to U.S. takeover — Chooses Denmark in geopolitical showdown

Greenland’s PM chooses Denmark over U.S. amid Trump’s controversy over Arctic control, emphasizing sovereignty and local sentiment.

Published

20 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Greenland’s PM chooses Denmark over U.S. amid Trump’s controversy over Arctic control, emphasizing sovereignty and local sentiment.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens‑Frederik Nielsen has delivered a clear message amid renewed pressure from the U.S. — if forced to choose between the United States and Denmark, Greenland will pick Denmark, NATO, and the EU.

Nielsen made the declaration in Copenhagen alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen ahead of diplomatic talks with top U.S. officials.

The announcement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump has again stoked controversy by suggesting Washington could pursue ownership or control of Greenland, citing strategic interests in the Arctic. European leaders and Greenlandic officials have pushed back strongly against these ideas, emphasising sovereignty and respect for international law.

This standoff places Greenland’s future in the spotlight — as Copenhagen and Nuuk reaffirm their ties, local sentiment remains overwhelmingly opposed to U.S. annexation and supportive of Greenland’s own path forward.

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#Greenland #Trump #Denmark #ArcticPolitics #NATO #Geopolitics #InternationalRelations

News

Trump promises aid amid Iran unrest

Trump urges Americans in Iran to evacuate amidst escalating protests and vows support for protesters seeking freedom.

Published

20 hours ago

January 14, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump urges Americans in Iran to evacuate amidst escalating protests and vows support for protesters seeking freedom.

President Trump has called on Americans in Iran to evacuate as tensions escalate following the government’s violent crackdown on antigovernment protesters. He has ruled out negotiations and encouraged protesters to continue their efforts, hinting that aid could be on the way.

The unrest in Iran has reportedly resulted in over 2,000 deaths, including both protesters and security forces. U.S. officials are reportedly weighing various responses, from sanctions to potential military options, though no immediate action has been confirmed.

Trump delivered a direct message to the people of Iran, emphasising support for their push for freedom and safety amid the growing crisis.

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#IranProtests #Trump #USPolitics #MiddleEastCrisis #HumanRights #EvacuationAlert #GlobalNews #TickerNews

News

Trump escalates pressure on the Federal Reserve with Powell probe

Trump administration investigates Fed Chair Powell, raising concerns over political pressure on monetary policy and economic stability.

Published

2 days ago

January 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump administration investigates Fed Chair Powell, raising concerns over political pressure on monetary policy and economic stability.

The Trump administration has launched a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, dramatically escalating tensions between the White House and the central bank.

The probe centres on Powell’s testimony over a controversial renovation of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters, raising alarm over whether political pressure is being applied to monetary policy decisions.

The move has sparked fierce debate in Washington, with critics warning it could undermine investor confidence and destabilise economic expectations.

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#FederalReserve #JeromePowell #DonaldTrump #USPolitics #MonetaryPolicy #Markets #Inflation #TickerNews