‘Absolutely spectacular’: Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon
Absolutely spectacular: Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon
NASA’s Artemis II mission team has captured their first visual of the Moon’s far side, an event that has sparked awe among the astronauts. The crew, including NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canada’s Jeremy Hansen, are now in their third day aboard the Orion capsule. Their journey involves orbiting the Moon’s uncharted side before returning to Earth.
“There’s a distinct feeling that this isn’t the Moon I’ve known,” Koch remarked, reflecting on the surreal experience.
A striking image of the Orientale basin, taken by the crew, has been hailed as the first comprehensive view of the lunar feature by human eyes. As of Saturday evening, the spacecraft was over 180,000 miles from Earth, according to NASA’s tracking data.
Trump Administration Faces Protests and Economic Concerns
At the annual Great Marshmallow Drop, thousands of treats were released from a helicopter, creating a lively scene as children rushed to gather them. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court convened as demonstrators and supporters gathered outside, reacting to President Trump’s executive order. A former prosecutor, linked to the president since his hush-money trial, was among those present.
Farmer John Smith from Alabama, despite financial strain, expressed continued support for Trump during a conversation with BBC reporter Gary O’Donoghue. This sentiment echoed among attendees at the CPAC conference in Texas, where mixed reactions emerged regarding the nation’s economic state.
Protests against the Trump administration intensified across the country, with cities hosting rallies marking the third round of No Kings demonstrations. The National Mall displayed an installation titled “A Throne Fit for a King,” critiquing recent White House renovations.
Airport Chaos and Tech Giants Under Scrutiny
Delays at New York’s bustling airport reached record levels as TSA agents operated without compensation during a partial government shutdown. The incident highlighted the impact of ongoing fiscal challenges on travel infrastructure.
Aircraft wreckage disrupted one of the airport’s two runways, prompting emergency responses. A separate collision between a passenger plane and a firefighting vehicle was captured on video, with BBC Verify analyzing the moments leading to the crash. No injuries were reported by Valero, a refinery operator.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were deployed to aid TSA during the shutdown. Meanwhile, a yellow Labrador named Tessie, unharmed after a fall and rescue, was reunited with her owner in a nearby yard.
Legal and Social Implications
A recent jury in Los Angeles ruled that Meta and Google designed addictive platforms, harming youth mental health. This verdict followed public outcry over social media’s influence, a topic gaining traction in political discourse.
Savannah Guthrie, in her initial interview post-disappearance, shared her emotional journey of learning her mother was missing and questioning her own role in the event. The same day, the president announced a summit focused on AI, education, and safeguarding children online.
Back in Washington, a robot joined First Lady Melania Trump during a White House appearance, symbolizing tech integration in political events. As Bill 21, the province’s secularism law, faced legal scrutiny in Canada, Muslim women reported bearing the brunt of its consequences.