Watch: Moment gunman tackled by school principal
Artemis II Crew Shares Lunar Mission Updates
Astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission have shared insights from their journey, highlighting the historic significance of their voyage. The four crew members, who traveled around the far side of the Moon during their third day of the mission, set a new record for distance from Earth, surpassing the 248,655-mile (400,171km) mark previously held by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970. Christina Koch, one of the astronauts, expressed relief upon reestablishing contact:
“It is so great to hear from Earth again.”
As part of their training, the astronauts conducted various tests on the Orion spacecraft, including practicing capsule maneuvers. A rare spectacle unfolded for passengers on a commercial flight, who witnessed the launch of NASA’s first crewed Moon mission in half a century from just three miles away. The event marked the debut of the most powerful rocket ever built, which successfully lifted off from Florida after delays and technical challenges.
Gunman Tackled by School Principal
CCTV footage from Oklahoma captures a dramatic moment at Pauls Valley High School on 7 April. Victor Hawkins, an active shooter, entered the building and began firing. Principal Kirk Moore, undeterred, charged toward the suspect and subdued him before a staff member removed the weapon. Moore sustained a leg injury during the confrontation but has since been discharged from the hospital.
Hawkins was apprehended on the scene and faces charges including two counts of pointing a firearm, one of shooting with intent to kill, and two of unlawful carrying. Meanwhile, the Canadian prime minister joined the Finnish president on the Ottawa Charge team during their first formal bilateral visit. The incident at the school underscores the importance of quick action in crisis situations, while the Artemis II mission demonstrates humanity’s ongoing pursuit of space exploration.
Events and Milestones
During the annual “Great Marshmallow Drop,” over 15,000 fluffy treats were dropped from a helicopter, drawing crowds of children eager to collect them. The mission’s focus remains on preparing for a potential lunar landing by 2028, with NASA emphasizing the importance of this milestone. Jeremy Hansen, Canada’s first astronaut to venture into deep space, received a call from the prime minister during the journey.
Reid Wiseman, the Artemis II commander, lost his wife to cancer in 2020 at the age of 46. The crew, currently in Earth’s orbit, has not landed on the Moon but continues to push boundaries. The former prosecutor’s longstanding relationship with President Trump, including representing him in a hush-money case, adds context to the broader narrative of leadership and exploration.
