Welcome to a whirlwind recap of the ten most mind blowing happenings that defined this week, proving that even in a global pandemic, the world never stops turning. From unexpected ceasefires to daring space intrigue, each story packs a punch of surprise and significance.
10 Mind Blowing Highlights This Week
10 Saudi Arabia Pressed The Pause Button In Yemen
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, after five years of fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen, announced a temporary cease‑fire on Thursday. The two‑week pause, communicated by coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al‑Malki, stems not from a peace breakthrough but from concerns that COVID‑19 could spread throughout the war‑torn nation. While the lull is modest, it offers a window for diplomatic overtures and may ultimately pave the way toward lasting peace.
Al‑Malki emphasized that this pause could be leveraged for formal talks between the Saudi‑backed government in Aden and the Iranian‑supported Houthi forces occupying Sanaa. UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths praised the move, stating, “I am grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Coalition for recognizing and acting on this critical moment for Yemen.” The five‑year conflict has already claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced countless civilians.
9 Acting Secretary Of The Navy Resigns
Just over a week after Captain Brett Crozier was removed from command of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, the very official who delivered the pink slip—Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly—stepped down. Modly resigned on Tuesday following the leak of a speech he gave to the carrier’s crew, in which he described Crozier as “too naive or too stupid” to lead the ship.
Crozier’s removal followed an email he sent warning of a COVID‑19 outbreak aboard the vessel. After his departure, the crew in Guam chanted his name in support. Modly flew to Guam at considerable cost to explain his stance, ultimately issuing a resignation letter that read, “It is not just missiles that can take us down, words can do it too, if we aren’t careful with how and when we use them… It’s my fault. I own it.”
8 NASA Unveils Plan For Artemis Base Camp On The Moon
While Earth grapples with a pandemic, NASA is pressing forward with its Artemis program, submitting a 13‑page report to the National Space Council (chaired by the Vice President) that outlines a bold vision for a permanent U.S. presence on the Moon. Titled “NASA’s Plan for Sustained Lunar Exploration and Development,” the document makes a compelling case for a 2024 Moon landing.
The proposed Artemis Base Camp marks a pivotal step toward deep‑space exploration. Though humanity has sent probes to every planet, we have never been farther than about 250,000 miles from home. The base will initially host up to four astronauts at the Moon’s south pole for week‑long missions, eventually evolving into a “gateway to Mars” and broader solar‑system ventures.
7 The Earth Isn’t Shaking As Much—Possible Side‑Effect Of COVID‑19
Beyond the obvious health crisis, the pandemic’s slowdown of human activity appears to have quieted the planet itself. Seismologists note a noticeable drop in ambient seismic noise worldwide, a phenomenon that can be likened to the Earth “shaking less” than usual.
Researchers like Andy Frassetto report clearer signals “with less noise on top, allowing you to squeeze a little more information.” In Brussels, ambient noise fell by up to 50 %, improving the detection of subtle earthquakes and volcanic tremors. While correlation does not prove causation, the timing suggests reduced human movement may be granting scientists a clearer window into Earth’s inner workings.
6 Trump Administration Labels Russian Nationalists As Terrorists
In a historic move, the Trump administration officially branded the Russian Imperialist Movement (RIM) as a terrorist organization. The designation, announced on Tuesday, marks the first time the United States has labeled a white‑supremacist group overseas as a terrorist entity.
According to the New York Times, RIM members were implicated in a 2017 Swedish trial involving bomb plots against asylum seekers. Assistant Secretary of State for Counterterrorism Nathan Sales emphasized the unprecedented nature of the action, noting it underscores the administration’s serious stance against extremist threats. While the label enables asset freezes and other counter‑terror measures, it applies only to foreign groups, leaving domestic organizations like the KKK untouched.
5 Cardinal George Pell Freed After High Court Overturns Sex Abuse Conviction
Australia’s High Court delivered a unanimous verdict that overturned Cardinal George Pell’s conviction on five child‑sex‑abuse counts, freeing him from prison. The decision, penned by Chief Justice Susan Kiefel, concluded a five‑year legal battle that had seen Pell, once the Vatican’s treasurer, sentenced for alleged offenses dating to the mid‑1990s.
Upon release, Pell issued a heartfelt statement: “I do not want my acquittal to add to the hurt and bitterness so many feel; there is certainly hurt and bitterness enough… The point was whether I had committed these awful crimes, and I did not.” His accuser also released a statement urging survivors not to be discouraged from reporting, emphasizing that truth ultimately prevails.
4 Space Criminal Anne McClain Cleared Of All Charges
Yes, there truly was a “space crime” this week. Army astronaut Lieutenant Colonel Anne McClain faced accusations from her ex‑wife, Summer Worden, who alleged illegal access to her bank account while McClain orbited Earth aboard the International Space Station. The claim, if true, would have made McClain the first person charged with a crime committed in space.
After a thorough investigation, investigators cleared McClain, finding Worden’s allegations false. Worden now faces a two‑count federal grand‑jury indictment in Houston for filing a false complaint with the FTC and making a false statement to NASA investigators, each carrying up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
3 China Lifted The Lockdown On Wuhan, The Origin Of COVID‑19
When the novel coronavirus first emerged in late 2019, Wuhan’s 11 million residents were placed under an unprecedented lockdown. After 76 days of strict confinement, Chinese authorities finally lifted the restrictions at midnight on Wednesday, allowing residents to leave the city via trains and cars.
Official figures claim over 50,000 infections and more than 2,500 deaths in Wuhan, though these numbers have been contested. The easing of measures signaled a glimmer of hope for a world that had already suffered over 83,500 COVID‑19 fatalities globally.
2 Transgender Sports Ban Passed In Arizona
Arizona lawmakers recently approved the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” a bill that bars individuals who are not biologically female from competing in women’s athletics. The legislation sparked fierce opposition from Democrats, who argued that hundreds of businesses support inclusion of transgender athletes.
Initially, the bill required a physical exam for disputed cases, but was later amended to favor DNA testing without invasive procedures. The measure reflects a broader cultural clash over gender identity and sports, and it remains to be seen whether Governor Doug Ducey will sign it into law.
1 Bernie Sanders Bowed Out Of The 2020 US Presidential Race
Senator Bernie Sanders announced the suspension of his presidential campaign on Wednesday, acknowledging the steep odds of overtaking Vice President Joe Biden. Despite still having a mathematical chance to secure enough delegates, Sanders conceded that the gap—approximately 300 delegates—rendered his path to the nomination “virtually impossible.”
Sanders emphasized his desire not to hinder the nation’s critical work during the pandemic, stating, “I cannot in good conscience continue to mount a campaign that cannot win and which would interfere with the important work required of all of us in this difficult hour.” President‑elect Biden praised Sanders for his dedication, noting the Senator “has put his heart and soul into not only running for President but for the causes and issues he has been dedicated to his whole life.”
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