Watch: BBC Asks Artemis II Crew a Question in Space
The BBC’s Science Editor, Rebecca Morelle, conducted an interview with the Artemis II crew as they returned from a historic lunar fly-by, marking their farthest distance from Earth. During what is anticipated to be their last communication from the capsule before splashdown on Saturday, mission specialist Christina Koch expressed her longing for the “camaraderie” she described as a bond akin to “brothers and sisters.”
Other News Highlights
A Tampa homeowner discovered a nine-foot alligator in their pool area, prompting police to intervene. A specialist later removed the animal. Meanwhile, the annual ‘Great Marshmallow Drop’ saw over 15,000 fluffy treats cascade from a helicopter as children scrambled to collect them.
The installation “A throne fit for a king” was displayed at the National Mall to critique President Trump’s White House renovation efforts. Large demonstrations against the Trump administration unfolded in US cities, forming the third round of No Kings rallies. The airport faced prolonged delays due to TSA agents operating without pay during a partial government shutdown, with wreckage blocking one of two runways at a bustling New York City hub.
Legal and Political Developments
Jasveen Sangha received a 15-year prison sentence for drug sales linked to the death of actor Matthew Perry. Rex Heuermann admitted guilt in the murder of eight women killed on Long Island between 1993 and 2010. The BBC’s Ione Wells engaged with protesters and attendees outside the Supreme Court during a hearing on President Donald Trump’s executive order.
Conservatives at the CPAC conference in Texas shared mixed opinions on the current economy. Reactions followed a Los Angeles jury ruling that Meta and Google designed addictive social media platforms harming youth mental health. The average gas price in the US surpassed $4, a trend attributed to ongoing tensions with Iran.
Personal Stories and Public Events
Savannah Guthrie, in her first interview since her mother’s disappearance, recounted the moment she learned of her mother’s absence and grappled with the possibility that her fame contributed to the threat. The robot joined First Lady Melania Trump at the White House for a notable appearance. Trump is hosting a summit focused on AI, education, and safeguarding children in digital environments.
BBC Verify analyzed the moments preceding a fatal collision at the New York airport involving a fire truck. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were deployed to US airports to support TSA during the partial shutdown. Valero, a refinery operator, reported no injuries after the incident, as crews addressed the sinkhole that left Tessie, a yellow Labrador Retriever, unharmed and back in her yard.
The former prosecutor has maintained a close relationship with President Trump, having defended him in the criminal hush-money case. Gary O’Donoghue, the BBC’s correspondent, spoke with a farmer in Alabama who continues to back Trump despite economic challenges.
