The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) briefly halted flights into and out of El Paso International Airport on Tuesday night, citing restrictions related to "cartel" drones, before abruptly lifting the restrictions less than 10 hours later. The temporary closure, which began at 11:30 pm local time (1:30 am EST Wednesday), also included a 10-nautical-mile radius airspace restriction, with warnings that violators could be shot down, according to Ars Technica. The FAA later announced on social media that the restrictions had been lifted, stating there was no threat to commercial aviation.
The reason for the initial closure and subsequent lifting of the restrictions remained unclear, as the FAA provided no further explanation. The agency's actions sparked speculation and concern, given the abrupt nature of the closure and the potential implications of the stated threat.
In other news, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) refused to review Moderna's application for an mRNA flu vaccine, a move that surprised the vaccine maker. According to Ars Technica, this decision is the latest in a series of actions that suggest hostility toward vaccines and, specifically, mRNA vaccines from an agency overseen by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In his first year in office, Kennedy has already dramatically slashed childhood vaccine recommendations and canceled $500 million in research funding for mRNA vaccines against potential pandemic threats. Moderna stated it was "blindsided" by the FDA's refusal.
SpaceX's Super Heavy booster completed cryogenic proof testing, a critical step in preparing for the next Starship flight. Ars Technica reported that the upgraded booster, which is slated to launch SpaceX's next Starship flight, successfully underwent multi-day testing to assess its redesigned propellant systems and structural strength. The testing, conducted at Starbase, Texas, involved the 237-foot-tall booster and was a crucial hurdle after a previous booster was destroyed during a similar test.
Google provided a major breakthrough in the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, whose mother is the mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie. Fortune reported that Google was able to recover data from a Nest-made doorbell camera at Guthrie's home, which provided video of an apparent intruder entering the residence. The 84-year-old has been missing since February 1st, and the footage was initially presumed lost because she did not have a premium subscription. Brian Stelter, chief media analyst at CNN, reported that Google's technical expertise provided a break that could help investigators solve the case.
Finally, a shooting at a school in British Columbia, Canada, left seven people dead, while two more were found dead at a nearby home. NPR News reported that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said more than 25 people were injured, including two who were airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries, after the shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School. Authorities also confirmed that a woman believed to be the shooter was killed.
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