SpaceX successfully launches rocket in Florida
Elon Musk’s private company SpaceX successfully launched one of its most powerful rockets on Tuesday. Named “Falcon Heavy,” it was the first step to the company’s ultimate goal of colonizing Mars, according to the SpaceX website. The rocket’s success was particularly notable because, unlike other rockets, the Falcon Heavy is made with the intent of being reusable. After being successfully launched into space, two of the rocket’s boosters broke from the main rocket and landed in Florida. The third booster, however crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. Unfazed, Musk said that watching the two boosters successfully land was “probably the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen.” The main rocket continues on its trajectory toward Mars, with its single passenger: Musk’s old cherry-red Tesla sports car, with a space-suited mannequin in the driver’s seat.
Cape Town prepares to run out of water by May 11
Due to the massive three-year drought that has plagued Cape Town, South Africa, the city is expected to run out of water and has been preparing for “Day Zero,” when the water reserves become so low that rationing will have to be enforced. Day Zero is currently set for May 11. Residents will be forced to queue at one of roughly 200 specific ration points. Water is expected to be cut for up to 75 percent of Cape Town residents. Tourist sites are expected to be spared, as the tourism industry generates much revenue for the city. Additionally, hospitals and schools will continue to have access to water.
Bermuda revokes same-sex marriage
Less than a year after legalizing same-sex marriage, Bermuda has become the first country to repeal the law. On Wednesday, Bermuda Governor John Rankin signed a bill that abolishes legal same-sex marriage and replaces it with the Domestic Partnership Act. Any marriages that were legalized during the time of legal same-sex marriage will continue to be recognized by the state. According to government officials, the Domestic Partnership Act will grant same-sex couples the same rights as married couples, but without the title of marriage. The act has been publicly denounced by The Human Rights Campaign. The reform has also been disparaged by the UK’s foreign office, which said, “The introduction of same-sex marriage last year put Bermuda among the most progressive countries in the region in terms of LGBT equality. It is therefore disappointing to see them taking a step backwards and removing the right for same-sex couples to marry in Bermuda.”
Russian jet crashes, kills all 71 on board
Minutes after takeoff, the Antonov An-148, a jet from Saratov Airlines headed for the city of Orsk, Russia, vanished. Wreckage from the plane was found shortly after, scattered over a large area of land about 25 miles from Moscow. Contact with the plane was lost four minutes after takeoff, when it descended rapidly, ultimately crashing. The cause of the crash is currently unknown, but according to eyewitnesses, the plane was on fire as it fell. There appear to be no survivors, according to Mixam Sololov, Russia’s minister of transportation. Authorities are currently investigating the crash, which is the first commercial plane crash since December of 2016.
