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 reached unprecedented distances from Earth during their lunar flyby, capturing rare perspectives of the planet from beyond the Moon’s shadow. The mission’s Orion spacecraft temporarily lost communication with mission control for 40 minutes as it orbited behind the Moon, as anticipated. Once contact was restored, astronaut Christina Koch expressed relief:
“It’s so great to hear from Earth again.”
During the flyby, the team observed a total solar eclipse, with the Moon obscuring the Sun’s light. Following this celestial event, they began their return journey to Earth. President Trump later addressed the crew, praising their achievement:
“Today, you’ve made history and made all America really proud, incredibly proud.”
Meanwhile, the “Great Marshmallow Drop” event saw over 15,000 fluffy treats released from a helicopter, sparking a race among children to collect them. A former prosecutor, who had represented Trump in a hush-money case, shared insights during a conversation with the BBC. At the Supreme Court, protesters and attendees debated the implications of Trump’s executive order, with the BBC’s Ione Wells capturing the discourse.
Fuel prices in the U.S. surpassed $4 at the pump for the first time since 2022, driven by ongoing tensions with Iran. In Alabama, a farmer highlighted his continued support for Trump despite financial strain. An art installation titled “A throne fit for a king” was displayed at the National Mall, critiquing the White House’s recent renovations. Protests against the Trump administration, including the third No Kings rally, spread across multiple cities.
At New York’s busy airport, prolonged delays emerged due to TSA agents working without pay during a partial government shutdown. Conservatives at the CPAC conference in Texas expressed mixed views on the current economic climate. The BBC’s Gary O’Donoghue spoke with a supporter in Alabama, emphasizing Trump’s enduring appeal. Valero, a refinery operator, confirmed no injuries were reported after a collision involving a passenger plane and a firefighting vehicle.
BBC Verify analyzed the moments leading to a deadly crash with a fire truck at the airport, while Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were deployed to assist with operations. A yellow Labrador Retriever named Tessie survived a recent incident, returning to her yard after crews repaired a sinkhole. Trump is also hosting a summit focused on AI, education, and safeguarding children in digital environments.
Separately, a New York City airport faced disruptions following a collision between an Air Canada plane and a firefighting vehicle. The incident occurred as the aircraft, carrying 72 passengers, initially landed safely from Montreal before the crash. The event has sparked discussions about the province’s secularism law, Bill 21, as it faces legal scrutiny in Canada’s Supreme Court. Muslim women have shared their experiences, stating they bore the brunt of the law’s impact.
