A crew of four NASA astronauts were hospitalized without explanation after returning from a lengthy mission in space.
The Crew-8 astronauts, who had spent more than 200 days in orbit, splashed down safely off the coast of Florida in the early hours of October 25.
Crew-8 launched to the ISS on March 3, initially planning for a six-month stay. However, a series of delays extended their mission to 235 days, one of the longest recent ISS stays.
During the splashdown of Crew-8, observers noted a delay in one of the Dragon capsule’s four main parachutes, which opened slower than the others – a phenomenon SpaceX has referred to as “lagging behavior.”
According to SpaceNews, this behavior, while not entirely unusual, has nonetheless drawn scrutiny as SpaceX and NASA look to ensure a smooth re-entry process for returning astronauts.
While NASA initially reported that only one astronaut required medical attention, it was later confirmed that the entire crew was taken to the hospital for further observation.
The astronauts in question are Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin.
One astronaut was reportedly held overnight “in stable condition under observation as a precautionary measure.”
However, NASA has yet to disclose the reasons behind the hospitalization, leaving many questions unanswered about the crew’s health following their extended stay in space and their return to Earth.
The unexplained medical episode has drawn NASA’s attention to SpaceX’s crew safety protocols, particularly as the company ramps up its mission schedule.
During an October 31 meeting of NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, former astronaut and panel member Kent Rominger expressed concerns over a string of recent technical issues with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets and Dragon spacecraft, which carry NASA astronauts to and from the ISS, per the Daily Mail.
“These mishaps serve as a reminder to remain vigilant as [SpaceX] increases the pace of its missions,” Rominger stated, emphasizing the need for both SpaceX and NASA to prioritize safety.
“Both NASA and SpaceX need to maintain focus on safe Crew Dragon operations and not take any ‘normal’ operations for granted.”
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has been a key NASA partner in commercial spaceflight, providing regular crew and cargo transport to the ISS.
The company has launched over 100 rockets this year and aims to reach 148 launches by year’s end, surpassing its record of 98 launches in 2023. Y
et, some safety advocates worry that SpaceX’s fast-paced schedule could come at a cost to astronaut safety.
Rominger emphasized the need for both NASA and SpaceX to “guard against letting the high pace of operations from clouding their judgment” to ensure that each mission receives the appropriate level of attention, time, and resources.
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This is everything Trump has pledged to do as 47th president of the United States
By Michelle H
Donald Trump is set to be the 47th President of the United States after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Calling it a “magnificent victory for the American people,” the 78-year-old announced on stage with his family that he intended to “put the divisions of the past four years behind us” after narrowly winning key swing states necessary to claim the White House.
Heading into Election Day on November 5, the Republican and Democratic candidates were virtually tied.
But as polls closed nationwide, the margin of error (around 3.1 percent either way) became apparent, with Trump securing more votes in both his expected strongholds and the swing states needed to ensure he would occupy the Oval Office beginning in January 2025.
Following his inauguration, what will Trump focus on over the next four years? Here’s a look at the primary policies Trump and his campaign highlighted during the 2024 election.
Immigration
Trump has reaffirmed his commitment to building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, a major initiative from his 2016 presidency that remained unfinished after he lost to Joe Biden in 2020.
He has also hinted at using the Insurrection Act to enforce this plan, which would allow him to deploy the U.S. Army for border control.
Additionally, the president-elect has pledged to initiate the “largest deportation program in history.”
Under Trump’s strict stance on undocumented immigrants, up to 11 million people could face removal from the country.
No details have been provided on how this initiative would be funded. A report from the American Immigration Council estimated that deporting all 11 million people without legal status could cost $968 billion (about £751 billion). Trump has also revived his controversial “Muslim travel ban,” targeting several majority-Muslim countries.
“We will seal our border and bring back the travel ban,” Trump previously stated.
“Remember the famous travel ban? We didn’t take people from certain areas of the world. We’re not taking them from infested countries.”
Women’s rights
Trump appointed Supreme Court justices who played a role in overturning the historic Roe v. Wade decision, resulting in strict abortion laws across 20 states.
Referring to these laws as a “beautiful thing to watch,” Trump has said he will not advocate for a direct federal abortion ban.
During his campaign, Trump proposed providing free IVF treatment for women struggling with infertility.
Foreign policy
Trump frequently commented on the escalation of global conflicts since his 2020 loss to Biden.
Regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he has pledged to reevaluate the U.S. response, which saw significant aid provided to Ukraine under Biden’s administration. Trump has promised to end the conflict, though he has not outlined his approach.
Concerning Israel’s ongoing conflicts in the Middle East with regions such as Gaza and Iran, Trump has criticized Israel’s tactics. Additionally, he has threatened to revoke visas for foreign students in the U.S. who participate in protests supporting Palestine.
Taxes, the economy, and environment
Trump has claimed he will “end inflation,” although he hasn’t explained how he intends to do so.
He has suggested expanding the U.S. oil industry, a move he believes will “make America affordable again.” Trump also plans to halt offshore wind farms, asserting that they “kill whales and birds.”
Despite having called climate change an “expensive hoax” in the past, he has committed to clean air and water for U.S. citizens.
Trump has also promised to lower interest rates, although the President does not control or set them. He intends to increase taxes on imports while enacting tax cuts worth trillions of dollars, claiming these cuts will be offset by growth and revenue from import taxes. Trump has not addressed the potential impact of higher import taxes on goods from countries like China, Brazil, and Mexico, which could drive up prices across the U.S.
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Thalia Castillo is fatally shot on her tour bus and dumped in ditch after performance
By James Kay
Thalia Castillo has been fatally shot on her tour bus and her body was dumped into a ditch.
Alezka Thalia Manrique, better known as Thalia Castillo, had just wrapped up a performance with her band, Hermanos Guerreros, when six armed assailants attacked their vehicle early Sunday morning.
The incident occurred around 5:00AM in Bagua Grande, Peru, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Manrique’s bandmate, Ingrid Vallejo, recounted the terrifying moments to authorities, revealing that the gunmen forced the bus driver out before assaulting the remaining passengers.
Amid the chaos, Manrique reportedly attempted to hide in the bus’s bathroom but was struck by gunfire in her leg and back.
Vallejo described her friend’s last moments, saying: “My partner wanted to go into the bus bathroom in her instinct to protect herself, and the moment she was there, the shot went off.”
Following the attack, the gunmen pulled Manrique from the bus and abandoned her body in a nearby ditch, warning the other band members to stay down, per the New York Post.
The attackers then looted the bus, stealing musical instruments and cash the band had earned from the performance.
Band members attempted to rush Manrique to the hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries en route.
Manrique’s brother, Jair Enrique, later told RPP radio that police have identified the suspects and are now awaiting an arrest warrant to apprehend them. The motive for the attack remains under investigation.
Manrique, who joined Hermanos Guerreros just two months ago, was not only a talented singer but also a dedicated student, set to graduate with a degree in business administration later this month.
Reflecting on her memory, Vallejo shared: “Thalia was a person full of joy, always with a smile. Her talent and dedication to music made her special.”
In a heartfelt tribute, Hermanos Guerreros issued a statement: “Your face, your smile, and your voice will always remain in our memory.”
Tributes have flooded in under Facebook posts by the band, with one person writing: “My deepest condolences to the family of the beautiful singer Talia.”
A second person said: “My heartfelt condolences to the Castillo family and the Hnos Guerrero group.”
A third person added: “My deepest condolences to the Manrique Castillo family for the irreparable loss of Thalia and the Guerreros
Our thoughts are with Manrique’s family at this difficult time.
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Elon Musk’s six-word response as Donald Trump is projected to win 2024 US presidential election
By Michelle H
Elon Musk shared a six-word response as Donald Trump inched closer to a victory in the US presidential race.
.jpg_BDiCgC?tr=w-1024,cr-0.0.1024.686&config=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)
The X owner, a long-time Trump supporter, has even attended several rallies for the former president during the campaign.
Musk joined Trump and his allies to watch the election results come in through the night, with Trump even mentioning Musk in his victory speech.
Surrounded by close family and friends, Trump said: “Everybody up here is very special. We have a new star – a star is born, Elon [Musk].”
“He is an amazing guy, we were sitting together tonight. He spent two weeks in Philadelphia and different parts of Pennsylvania campaigning. That’s why I love you, Elon.”
Later, Musk reiterated his optimism, posting this simply six-word response on X: “the future’s going to be fantastic,” accompanied by a photoshopped image of himself in the Oval Office.
“Let that sink in,” he captioned the post, noting how Americans had given Trump “a crystal clear mandate for change.”
With Trump having exceeded pivotal 270 electoral votes, he will be the 47th president.
He declared he had “made history” after being projected to win key battleground states like North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.
“Every single day I will be fighting for you, with every single breath in my body. I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that children deserve,” Trump said.
“And that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age for America.” Despite the Republicans not yet being officially declared the winners, Trump now sits just four electoral votes shy of victory.
Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, also addressed supporters from the stage in Florida.
“I think that we just witnessed the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America,” Vance said.
“Under president Trump’s leadership, we’re never going to stop fighting for you, for your dreams, for the future of your children. And after the greatest political comeback in American history, we’re going to lead the greatest economic comeback in American history – under Donald Trump’s leadership.”
CNN confirms on Wednesday (November 6) that Trump has been projected to become the next president of the United States of America.
Following a campaign trail that consisted of a president’s withdrawal, assassination attempts, a new Democratic nominee, and a lot of swipes and jibes – both political and personal – Trump is set to become only the second person in US history to reclaim the office after losing his first bid for re-election.
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Donald Trump projected to become the next president of the United States of America
By stefan armitage
Donald Trump has been projected to become the next president of the United States of America, per CNN.
Following a campaign trail that consisted of a president’s withdrawal, assassination attempts, a new Democratic nominee, and a lot of swipes and jibes – both political and personal – Donald Trump has become only the second person in US history to reclaim the office after losing his first bid for re-election.
.jpg_BDiCgC?tr=w-1024,cr-276.0.911.686&config=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)
Trump’s victory came after securing major swing states, such as North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. As of this writing, it also looks like Trump will secure the popular vote – something he didn’t even achieve back in 2016.
Despite Trump only just securing the projection after surpassing the necessary 270 electoral votes, the president-elect did address his supporters and the nation while at the Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida.
Joined on the stage by running mate JD Vance, wife Melania, his children, and members of his campaign, Trump delivered what can only be described as a victory speech, telling the crowd: “I will fight for you, for your family and your future every single day.”
“I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body. I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe, and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age of America,” Trump added.
His running mate, JD Vance, also took to the podium and described Trump’s projected victory as “the greatest political comeback in the history of the United States of America”.
Vance then vowed that he and Trump would “lead the greatest economic comeback in American history”.
During his speech, Trump also praised his wife, Melania, for doing a “great job”, and named each of his children – all of whom had joined their father on the stage.
Dana White – boss of the UFC – also took to the mic, telling the crowd that Trump’s victory “is what happens when the machine comes after you”.
“Couldn’t stop him. He keeps going forward. Never quits,” White added.
.jpg_bbYxWz?tr=w-1024,cr-0.0.1024.686&config=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)
Addressing the attempts on his life, Trump then has said that people have told him that “God spared my life for a reason.”
“And that reason was to save our country and restore America to greatness. And now we’re going to fulfill that mission together,” he continued. “The task before us will not be easy, but I will bring every ounce of energy, spirit, and fight that I have in my soul to the job that you’ve entrusted to me.”
While celebrations continued into the early hours of the morning in West Palm Beach, Harris’ supporters were told to head home earlier than they hoped after gathering at Howard University in Washington DC.
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Donald Trump addresses the nation as he edges closer to victory
By stefan armitage
Donald Trump has addressed the nation for the first time as he is emerging as the front-runner in the 2024 US Presidential election.
Walking out on the stage to ‘God Bless The USA’ at the Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida, Trump was flagged by running mate JD Vance, his wife Melania Trump, and campaign staff, along with his children and in-laws.
Evidently confident about a victory – despite Vice President Kamala Harris still clinging on to a narrow path to a win – Trump says he and his team are going to “help our country heal”, highlighting his focus on fixing the borders.
He called a win for the Republican party “a magnificent victory for the American people” that will “allow us to make America great again”.
“I will fight for you, for your family and your future every single day,” Trump said. “I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body. I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe, and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age of America.”
Those in attendance were clearly abuzz to see Trump, as chants of “USA, USA, USA” broke out.
After explaining that the country is on the precipice of its “golden age”, Trump took a moment to praise his wife, Melania.
“She’s done a great job,” Trump says, adding she “works very hard to help people” – as well as highlighting her best-selling book.
Trump then named each of his children, before inviting running mate JD Vance to the podium.
Vance would describe the situation as the “greatest political comeback ever”. Once again, we must highlight that Trump is yet to be named as the winner of the 2024 election – either officially or in the projections (as of this writing and Trump’s address).
Vance then promised the nation that he and Trump would now “lead the greatest economic comeback in American history.”
Per the current CNN projections, Trump only needs four more electoral votes to win the presidency, standing on 266 out of the necessary 270.
Nevertheless, Trump told the crowd: “I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honor of being elected your 47th president, and your 45th president.”
Addressing the attempts on his life over the last few months on the campaign trail, Trump says he was told by others that “God spared my life for a reason”.
Trump then said that he we work on fixing the division that has emerged “from the last four years”, saying that the nation will come together through “success”.
He concluded the address by once again reiterating that his party will “make America great again”, before leaving the stage to the Village People’s ‘YMCA’.