NASA’s $100 billion bet on the moon is about to launch

This episode of Apple News Today covers a pivotal moment in space exploration as NASA prepares to launch the Artemis II mission—the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years. The mission, set for launch the following day, will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the moon, marking historic firsts for the first Black man, first woman, and first Canadian to travel to deep space. The flight serves as a critical dress rehearsal for NASA’s ultimate goal: a sustainable moon base by 2028 and eventual human landing. The program, now costing nearly $100 billion, is driven by a renewed space race with China and a strategic push to develop deep-space technology, explore lunar water, and advance Earth science. Meanwhile, the episode shifts to geopolitical tensions, highlighting President Trump’s escalating threats against Iran, including potential strikes on oil infrastructure and Harg Island, amid stalled diplomacy and regional power dynamics. The U.S. is also reshaping its immigration system through changes to the Board of Immigration Appeals, which has been reduced in size and now heavily favors the Department of Homeland Security, raising concerns about due process and fairness. In lighter news, Celine Dion confirms her comeback with a 10-concert Paris residency, while Air Canada’s CEO faces backlash for not speaking French during a condolence message after a fatal plane crash.