Their mission was eight days. They ended up in space for nine months.
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Why did two astronauts end up spending nine months in space?
Good morning. It's Wednesday, March 19th. I'm Shamita Basu. This is Apple News Today. On today's show, why a pair of astronauts on an eight-day mission ended up in space for nine months, how Florida's rollback of DEI policies changed college campuses, and some tips for filling out your NCAA tournament brackets. But first, updates on two big international crises, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
What recent developments have occurred in the Ukraine crisis?
Let's start with Ukraine. Hours after a phone call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which Putin agreed to a halt in attacks on energy infrastructure, that agreement appeared to crumble. Russia launched fresh missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, striking both civilian and energy infrastructure. Ukrainian officials say two hospitals were hit, a violation of international law. Ukraine also launched long-range drones into Russia overnight. Russian officials say one of those hit an oil depot. Before Russia's most recent attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was open to the partial ceasefire and supported continuing negotiations for a full ceasefire.
Trump described his phone call with Putin as very good and productive, and a Kremlin spokesperson indicated Putin would consider a long-term ceasefire if all foreign military and intelligence aid to Ukraine were halted. But today, Zelensky said Russia's overnight attacks show that Moscow's claimed support for a full ceasefire is not real. Zelensky is expected to speak with Trump sometime today. Let's turn to the war in Gaza now, where a wave of deadly attacks by Israeli forces in recent days shattered the country's fragile ceasefire agreement with Hamas. Yesterday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had, quote, resumed combat in full force and that any negotiations would continue under fire.
What is the current state of the conflict in Gaza?
A Hamas official said Netanyahu's decision to return to full-scale war will be a death sentence for the remaining hostages. Israel's strikes this week were the largest attacks since the ceasefire started in January, killing hundreds of Palestinians in the first 24 hours. They landed across the Gaza Strip as many people were having their pre-dawn meal for Ramadan. The Washington Post received voice notes from Palestinians the morning after the attacks. One of them was 22-year-old Wassam Tabet.
I was lying in my bed almost asleep when I started hearing the heavy continuous bombing. Everyone in Gaza already waked up, freaked out, checking the news channels. We are still traumatized by what we have here witnessed or experienced in the last war. I don't think we have the energy or strength for another war.
The strikes also came two weeks after Israel began a blockade on aid entering Gaza. Israeli officials say the strikes exclusively targeted terror targets and weapons stockpiles. And Hamas has confirmed that several of its leaders were killed in the strikes, including its de facto head of government. Health workers in Gaza have reported many women and children among the casualties, and hospitals are reportedly struggling to treat the sudden volume of patients. Medical professionals with Doctors Without Borders, who were working from Nasser Hospital, posted on social media yesterday that the injuries they're seeing are disastrous and that, quote, "...doctors in the emergency room were crying due to the intensity and difficulty of the situation."
The AP reports the Israeli military has ordered people to evacuate eastern Gaza, a sign that Israel could soon launch renewed ground operations. With both Gaza and Ukraine, President Trump has spoken about how he plans to swiftly end the conflicts. But so far, the president and his negotiators have not been able to make lasting deals that all parties can agree to.
Two NASA astronauts made their long-awaited return to Earth last night after an unexpected nine-month stay in space.
And SpaceX Freedom, splashdown. Good main release.
How did the astronauts return from their extended mission?
Copy, splashdown. We see main chutes cut. Nick, Alex, Butch, Sunny, on behalf of SpaceX, welcome home.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
Why did two astronauts end up spending nine months in space?
0:05–0:40
2
What recent developments have occurred in the Ukraine crisis?
0:40–2:05
3
What is the current state of the conflict in Gaza?
2:05–4:35
4
How did the astronauts return from their extended mission?
4:35–5:17
5
Was the astronauts' return to Earth considered a rescue mission?
5:17–13:47
Speakers
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