Watch: Artemis II’s historic lunar flyby… in 90 seconds
Watch: Artemis II’s historic lunar flyby… in 90 seconds
Nasa’s Artemis II crew set a new record, venturing farther from Earth than any humans before, during a lunar flyby that captured rare planetary vistas. The Orion spacecraft’s crew lost touch with mission control for 40 minutes while orbiting the Moon’s far side, a planned part of the mission. Upon re-establishing communication, astronaut Christina Koch shared:
“It’s so great to hear from Earth again.”
The astronauts also experienced a total solar eclipse, as the Moon obscured the Sun’s light, marking a unique celestial event during their return.
President Trump praised the team, stating:
“Today, you’ve made history and made all America really proud, incredibly proud.”
Beyond the mission, various stories unfolded: the annual ‘Great Marshmallow Drop’ saw over 15,000 fluffy treats descend from a helicopter as children scrambled to collect them. A former prosecutor, who once defended Trump in a hush-money case, remains closely tied to his administration. The BBC’s Ione Wells discussed public sentiment at the Supreme Court regarding Trump’s executive order, while Gary O’Donoghue reported on a farmer in Alabama who, despite financial strain, continues to back the president.
A notable installation, “A throne fit for a king,” was displayed at the National Mall, critiquing Trump’s White House renovations. Protests against his policies erupted across the US, including the third round of No Kings rallies. Meanwhile, New York City’s airport faced severe delays as TSA agents operated without pay during a partial government shutdown. At CPAC in Texas, conservatives expressed mixed views on the economy’s current state.
Trump is hosting a summit focused on AI, education, and safeguarding children online. A yellow Labrador named Tessie survived a fall and rescue, returning to her yard after crews filled a sinkhole. BBC Verify analyzed the moments preceding a deadly collision at the New York airport involving a fire truck. Valero, a refinery operator, confirmed no injuries in the incident. Immigration agents were deployed to assist TSA during the shutdown, and an Air Canada plane carrying 72 passengers and four crew initially landed safely before colliding with a firefighting vehicle.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement supported airport operations during the partial shutdown. In a recent interview, Savannah Guthrie recounted her mother’s disappearance and reflected on whether her fame made her a target. The wreckage at the airport blocked access to one of two runways, creating logistical challenges. A robot joined First Lady Melania Trump at the White House, highlighting technological presence in the administration. The province’s secularism law, Bill 21, faces legal scrutiny as Muslim women claim to have suffered significant consequences.
Video edited by Ian Aikman documented the aftermath of the runway collision, emphasizing the impact of the incident. The average fuel price in the US surpassed $4, the highest since 2022, driven by ongoing conflicts. These stories reflect the diverse landscape of news, from space exploration to everyday events and political discourse.
