Entertainment
In a first, wheelchair user flies into space
A person who uses a wheelchair blasted off into space for the first time Saturday, taking a brief ride on a Blue Origin flight.
The space company owned by American multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos launched its New Shepard suborbital mission at 8:15 am (1415 GMT) from its site in Texas.
Michaela Benthaus, a German aerospace and mechatronics engineer at the European Space Agency, was among the passengers to cross the Karman line, the internationally recognised boundary of space, during the approximately 10-minute flight.
Benthaus suffered a spinal cord injury after a mountain biking accident and now uses a wheelchair.
“After my accident, and I really, really figured out how inaccessible our world still is” for people with disabilities, she said in a video released by the company.
“If we want to be an inclusive society, we should be inclusive in every part, and not only in the parts we like to be,” Benthaus added.
The small, fully automated rocket took off vertically, and the capsule carrying the tourists then detached in flight before gently descending back to the Texas desert, slowed by parachutes.
It was the 16th crewed flight for Blue Origin, which has for years offered space tourism flights — the price isn’t public — using its New Shepard rocket.
Dozens of people have traveled to space with Blue Origin, including the pop singer Katy Perry and William Shatner, who played Star Trek’s legendary Captain Kirk.
These high-profile guests are aimed at maintaining public interest in the flights at a time when private space companies are vying for pre-eminence.
Virgin Galactic offers a similar suborbital flight experience.
But Blue Origin also has ambitions to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the orbital flight market.
This year the Bezos company successfully carried out two uncrewed orbital flights using its massive New Glenn rocket, which is significantly more powerful than New Shepard.
King Charles III’s office sprang into action soon after Princess Kate’s heartfelt message, issuing an update on Queen Camilla’s latest outing.
Camilla, 78, as Patron of the National Literacy Trust, has opened a new library at Christ Church CE Primary School in London.
On Wednesday, the palace relased the video on the royal family’s official Instagram account, showing the Queen spending imes with children.
The video was accompanied by a statement: “This brand-new library, home to more than 500 books, is the 2,000th to be opened as part of the Libraries for Primaries initiative.”
It added: “From The Famous Five to The Tiger Who Came for Tea, it was wonderful to hear pupils and teachers sharing their favourite stories.”
The Queen’s video comes minutes after Catherine issued a personal message on ‘fear and exhaustion’ of battling cancer.
In her message for World Cancer Day, the Princess of Wales said: “On World Cancer Day, my thoughts are with everyone who is facing a cancer diagnosis, undergoing treatment or finding their way through recovery.
“Cancer touches so many lives. Not only patients, but the families, friends and caregivers who walk beside them.”
Her message continued: “As anyone who has experienced this journey will know, it’s not linear. There are moments of fear and exhaustion. But also moments of strength, kindness, and profound connection.”
She went on: “Today is a reminder of the importance of care, understanding and hope. Please know you are not alone.”
The British monarch’s office has made an exciting announcement amid Andrew’s downfall.
Britons have received a delightful news from Buckingham Palace. The royal house has offered roles that come with “a generous benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and life priorities”.
Among the positions available is a live-in opportunity, which means the successful candidate will actually reside on royal grounds. No previous experience is required for the vacancy.
“Our team members work collaboratively, with the opportunity to gain experience in all aspects of the kitchen. With training and support embedded in our team culture, you’ll be encouraged to grow your skills,” according to the job advert.
“Although based at Buckingham Palace, you’ll also work at different Royal residences throughout the year.”
The Kitchen Porter position has applications closing on Saturday, March 21, with the successful applicant starting work in June 2026 on a fixed-term contract.
It’s a full-time role requiring up to 45 hours each week, Monday to Sunday, although employees will only work five days out of every seven.
While experience “in a similar role would be an advantage”, it’s not essential as full training will be delivered on-site.
Other qualities the Palace is seeking include someone who takes genuine pride in their work, thrives as part of a team, is “happy to get involved”, and is “keen to develop your skills and gain experience within an exceptional team environment”.
The advert doesn’t specify an exact salary figure, but states the pay is “competitive plus benefits”.
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