NASA drops new Earth pictures, 6ix9ine out of jail, Zara clarifies her comments about Swifties

NASA shares new pictures of the Earth

The journey back to deep space is already producing awe-inspiring moments, as NASA released the first images taken from inside the Artemis II Orion spacecraft. 

In one striking photo, mission commander Reid Wiseman captured Earth glowing through the capsule window, its cloud-covered surface appearing to rise against the darkness as the crew pushes farther from home.

For mission specialist Christina Koch, the view has been nothing short of overwhelming. “There’s nothing that prepares you for the breathtaking aspect of seeing your home planet both lit up bright as day and also the moon glow on it at night,” she said. 

Koch added that she is “really excited” to witness similar views of the moon before the crew begins their journey home.

The Artemis II crew will loop around the moon without landing, setting the stage for future missions aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface.

Tekashi 6ix9ine released from prison

Controversial rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine is wasting no time reclaiming the spotlight after walking free from federal custody, turning his release into yet another headline-grabbing moment. 

The artist, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, was released Friday after completing a 90-day stint at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, a sentence tied to probation violations involving alleged drug possession.

In a video capturing his first moments of freedom, 6ix9ine appeared energized as he stepped out of the facility, greeting friends and heading straight for a waiting SUV. But it wasn’t just his return that caught attention. 

Clutching a stack of papers and an unusual keepsake, the rapper proudly showed off a SpongeBob SquarePants doll.

“I got former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to sign it,” he boasted, adding that the signature even included the date.

As if to punctuate the moment, 6ix9ine flashed a massive diamond chain and a wide grin, signaling his excitement to be back on the outside.

Zara Larsson clarifies her comments about Swifties after facing backlash

Pop star Zara Larsson is setting the record straight after a comment about Taylor Swift and her fanbase sparked online debate.

The controversy began when Larsson remarked in a recent interview that “playing the chart game is so dead,” adding that chart rankings are mostly followed by industry insiders “and maybe Taylor Swift fans.” The statement quickly went viral, with some interpreting it as a subtle jab at Swift’s loyal supporters.

But Larsson is now pushing back on that narrative, insisting her words were taken out of context. In a candid response, she explained, “I did an interview in The Guardian saying no one cares about the charts but industry people and maybe Taylor Swift fans because no one plays the chart game like Taylor Swift lol. She’s literally the best at it and everyone knows that.”

She added, “It’s not the read you guys think it is.”

The singer also admitted that while she believes chart success doesn’t define artistry, she still has ambitions of her own. “I still think you can be an amazing artist and not chart… But I still want number one! Please make Midnight Sun #1!!!”

Pam Bondi’s portrait gets taken down at the Justice Department

A dramatic shake-up in Washington quickly turned symbolic, as images of Pam Bondi’s portrait being removed from Justice Department walls spread within hours of her reported firing by Donald Trump.

Photos circulating online showed the once-prominent framed image discarded in a trash bin, a striking visual that underscored the intensity of her controversial tenure.

According to current and former officials, the swift removal reflects deep internal tensions that defined Bondi’s time in office. Thousands of employees reportedly chose to leave the department rather than comply with her directives, while others were dismissed, fueling resentment that lingered long after her exit.

Much of that frustration traces back to an early incident involving portraits of Joe Biden and Merrick Garland still hanging inside a secure DOJ facility.

“I look on the wall and see President Biden, Kamala Harris, and Merrick Garland’s paintings still hanging [...] I personally took all three photos down.” Bondi recounted.

The episode, once cited by Bondi as proof of political bias within the department, has now come full circle, with her own portrait meeting a similarly abrupt fate.

ICYMI:

• The UCLA Bruins women's basketball have claimed the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament title, capping off a dominant run with a decisive victory over South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball in the national championship game with a score of 79-51.

• Tiffany Young is marking a major milestone in her solo career, announcing that her first full-length album is set to drop on May 11. Fans noted how the release falls exactly a decade after the release of her debut mini-album I Just Wanna Dance.

• Donald Trump has ignited global controversy after posting a profanity-laced Easter message threatening Iran over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz: “Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”

— Bea Bertuldo

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