‘Artemis II’ Nears Spaceflight Record & NeeDoh Craze Causes Shortage

Artemis II is poised to eclipse Apollo 13’s mileage record as the crew circles the far side of the moon at roughly 252,000 miles from Earth. A rare six‑hour alignment will let astronauts glimpse 20% of the lunar far side, a view never captured by humans before. The mission also marks the first time an iPhone 17 has been approved for spaceflight, delivering stunning Earth and aurora images that boost Apple’s brand visibility and demonstrate how consumer tech can survive NASA’s rigorous hardware vetting.

On the startup front, MedV has become the first solo‑founder unicorn, hitting a $1 billion valuation after generating $401 million in its inaugural year and projecting $1.8 billion in 2026 sales. Founder Matthew Gallagher leveraged AI platforms such as Eleven Labs for voice‑based customer service, MidJourney for marketing visuals, and automated legal and accounting tools to keep overhead low. While the rapid growth showcases AI’s power to lower entry barriers, critics highlight the use of deep‑faked before‑and‑after photos and questionable physician endorsements, sparking a debate over ethical AI deployment in health‑tech ventures.

Meanwhile, the U.S. labor market delivered a surprising surge in March, adding 178,000 jobs and nudging the unemployment rate to a historic 4.3%. The gain was driven largely by healthcare, leisure, hospitality, and construction, offsetting a shrinking labor force caused by demographic shifts and tighter immigration policies. Economists caution that month‑to‑month volatility may mask a longer‑term slowdown, as average monthly job creation has fallen from 78,000 to about 15,000 over the past six months. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for investors and policymakers navigating an economy where hiring trends and workforce size are increasingly decoupled.