Watch: Artemis II’s historic lunar flyby… in 90 seconds
Artemis II Crew Sets New Space Record
The crew of NASA’s Artemis II mission ventured beyond Earth’s orbit to a distance never achieved before, capturing breathtaking views of the planet from seldom-seen perspectives. As the Orion spacecraft circled the Moon, communication with mission control was temporarily lost for 40 minutes, a planned event. Upon reestablishing contact, astronaut Christina Koch expressed relief:
“It’s so great to hear from Earth again.”
Historic Lunar Flyby and Sun Eclipse
During their journey, the team experienced a total solar eclipse as the Moon obscured the Sun’s light. After completing the flyby, President Trump praised the mission in a call with the astronauts, stating:
“Today, you’ve made history and made all America really proud, incredibly proud.”
Global Events and Public Reactions
Meanwhile, at the annual “Great Marshmallow Drop,” over 15,000 marshmallows were dropped from a helicopter, drawing children in a race to collect them. A former prosecutor, who represented Trump in a criminal hush-money case, has maintained a close relationship with the president. The BBC’s Ione Wells interviewed attendees outside the Supreme Court during discussions on Trump’s executive order.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were deployed to US airports to support TSA amid a partial government shutdown, causing some of the longest delays in the nation. At the New York City airport, a sinkhole was filled after a yellow Labrador Retriever named Tessie survived a fall and rescue. BBC Verify analyzed the moments leading to a fatal collision between a fire truck and a passenger plane on the runway.
Trump’s Leadership and Public Sentiment
Conservatives at the CPAC conference in Texas shared mixed opinions on the current economy. Farmers in Alabama, despite financial strain, continue to back Trump’s policies. The installation “A Throne Fit for a King” on the National Mall critiqued his White House renovations. Large demonstrations against the Trump administration occurred in multiple US cities, including the third No Kings rally.
Impact on Daily Life and Industry
Gas prices in the US surpassed $4 at the pump for the first time since 2022, driven by ongoing conflicts. The average price climbed as the Iran war fueled higher fuel costs. An Air Canada flight with 72 passengers and four crew members initially landed safely from Montreal before colliding with a firefighting vehicle.
Public Figures and Controversies
Savannah Guthrie, in her first post-disappearance interview, recounted discovering her mother was missing and considered whether her fame might have made her a target. The wreckage disrupted one of two runways at the busy New York City airport. Trump hosted a summit on AI, education, and safeguarding children in digital environments.
Legal and Social Challenges
A recent Los Angeles jury ruled that Meta and Google intentionally designed addictive social media platforms harming youth mental health. As Bill 21, Quebec’s secularism law, faces legal scrutiny in Canada’s Supreme Court, some Muslim women claim they’ve faced significant consequences.
