Watch: BBC asks Artemis II crew a question in space
The BBC’s Science Editor, Rebecca Morelle, conducted an interview with the four Artemis II astronauts during their return to Earth following a remarkable lunar fly-by. This mission marked their farthest point from Earth yet. As they prepare for splashdown on Saturday, mission specialist Christina Koch shared her reflections, emphasizing the “camaraderie” she valued most. She described the bond between crew members as feeling like “brothers and sisters.”
Legal developments and public reactions
Jasveen Sangha received a 15-year prison sentence for distributing drugs that contributed to the death of actor Matthew Perry. Meanwhile, Rex Heuermann admitted guilt in the murder of eight women on Long Island between 1993 and 2010. Elsewhere, a Tampa homeowner triggered a response when he found a nine-foot alligator in his pool area, leading to its removal by specialists.
At the annual ‘Great Marshmallow Drop,’ over 15,000 fluffy treats were released from a helicopter, drawing eager participants. The former prosecutor, who has maintained a close connection with President Trump, represented him in a criminal hush-money case. BBC correspondent Ione Wells interacted with protesters and attendees near the Supreme Court during a hearing on Trump’s executive order.
Economic and political shifts
Fuel prices in the U.S. have exceeded $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022, driven by ongoing tensions with Iran. Gary O’Donoghue of the BBC spoke with an Alabama farmer who, despite financial strain, continues to back President Trump. Mass demonstrations against the Trump administration occurred across cities, forming the third round of No Kings rallies.
A sculpture titled “A Throne Fit for a King” was installed at the National Mall, critiquing Trump’s White House renovation efforts. The airport in New York is experiencing record delays, attributed to TSA agents working without pay during a partial government shutdown. At the CPAC conference in Texas, conservatives expressed mixed views on the current economic climate.
Public sentiment and legal accountability
The public backlash follows a Los Angeles jury’s ruling that Meta and Google designed addictive social media platforms harming youth mental health. In her first interview since the disappearance, Savannah Guthrie recounted discovering her mother’s absence and questioned whether her fame made her a target. The wreckage of the incident blocked access to one of two runways at a major New York City airport.
A yellow Labrador Retriever named Tessie emerged unharmed from a sinkhole incident, returning to her yard after crews repaired the damage. BBC Verify analyzed the moments preceding a deadly collision at the New York airport involving a fire truck. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were deployed to U.S. airports to support TSA amid the partial shutdown. Valero, a refinery operator, confirmed no injuries were reported in the incident.
Trump is hosting a summit focused on artificial intelligence, education, and safeguarding children in digital environments. A robot joined First Lady Melania Trump at the White House during a public appearance, highlighting the administration’s technological initiatives.
