Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

The top photos of the day by AP's photojournalists

News

The top photos of the day by AP's photojournalists
News

News

The top photos of the day by AP's photojournalists

2025-06-20 12:22 Last Updated At:12:31

From front-page news to powerful moments you may have missed, this gallery showcases today’s top photos chosen by Associated Press photo editors.

Follow AP visual journalism:

More Images
People shelter in an underground parking lot in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

People shelter in an underground parking lot in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Porto's Ze Pedro, right, tangled with Inter Miami's Lionel Messi during the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Inter Miami and FC Porto in Atlanta, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Porto's Ze Pedro, right, tangled with Inter Miami's Lionel Messi during the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Inter Miami and FC Porto in Atlanta, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Residents remove debris after the passing of Hurricane Erick, near Charco Redondo, Oaxaca state, Mexico, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Luis Alberto Cruz)

Residents remove debris after the passing of Hurricane Erick, near Charco Redondo, Oaxaca state, Mexico, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Luis Alberto Cruz)

Smokes rises from a building of the Soroka hospital complex after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran in Beersheba, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Smokes rises from a building of the Soroka hospital complex after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran in Beersheba, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Former President Joe Biden gets a hug from Rev. Lernette (People) Patterson after speaking at a Juneteenth event at the Reedy Chapel AME Church, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Former President Joe Biden gets a hug from Rev. Lernette (People) Patterson after speaking at a Juneteenth event at the Reedy Chapel AME Church, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

A band plays during a Juneteenth parade Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

A band plays during a Juneteenth parade Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

A Palestinian woman mourns over the body of her child killed in an Israeli military strike on Gaza, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

A Palestinian woman mourns over the body of her child killed in an Israeli military strike on Gaza, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain stands with his team during a training session at the Queen's Club Tennis Championships in London, England, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain stands with his team during a training session at the Queen's Club Tennis Championships in London, England, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Israeli air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Israeli air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Palestinians carry the bodies of relatives who were killed in an Israeli military strike on Gaza, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Palestinians carry the bodies of relatives who were killed in an Israeli military strike on Gaza, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Palmeiras' players hug Jose Manuel Lopez, right, after je scored during the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Palmeiras and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Palmeiras' players hug Jose Manuel Lopez, right, after je scored during the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Palmeiras and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Personal objects at the site of a direct hit from an Iranian missile strike in an apartment in Ramat Gan, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Personal objects at the site of a direct hit from an Iranian missile strike in an apartment in Ramat Gan, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

The damaged headquarters of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Iranian state television, is seen in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

The damaged headquarters of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Iranian state television, is seen in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

A racegoer in a gold dress with long gold nails and a dollar symbol handbag poses for a photograph on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting, traditionally called Ladies Day, at Ascot, England, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

A racegoer in a gold dress with long gold nails and a dollar symbol handbag poses for a photograph on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting, traditionally called Ladies Day, at Ascot, England, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Acapulco Bay is void of boats while they are stored on shore as the nearby passing of Hurricane Erick brings dark clouds, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Acapulco Bay is void of boats while they are stored on shore as the nearby passing of Hurricane Erick brings dark clouds, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Superman fans dressed in costumes pose during an event as part of the first stop of the Superman World Tour in Pasig city, Philippines on Thursday June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Superman fans dressed in costumes pose during an event as part of the first stop of the Superman World Tour in Pasig city, Philippines on Thursday June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

An Israeli soldier plays beach volley at sunset in Tel Aviv's beachfront Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

An Israeli soldier plays beach volley at sunset in Tel Aviv's beachfront Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews

People shelter in an underground parking lot in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

People shelter in an underground parking lot in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Porto's Ze Pedro, right, tangled with Inter Miami's Lionel Messi during the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Inter Miami and FC Porto in Atlanta, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Porto's Ze Pedro, right, tangled with Inter Miami's Lionel Messi during the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Inter Miami and FC Porto in Atlanta, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Residents remove debris after the passing of Hurricane Erick, near Charco Redondo, Oaxaca state, Mexico, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Luis Alberto Cruz)

Residents remove debris after the passing of Hurricane Erick, near Charco Redondo, Oaxaca state, Mexico, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Luis Alberto Cruz)

Smokes rises from a building of the Soroka hospital complex after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran in Beersheba, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Smokes rises from a building of the Soroka hospital complex after it was hit by a missile fired from Iran in Beersheba, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Former President Joe Biden gets a hug from Rev. Lernette (People) Patterson after speaking at a Juneteenth event at the Reedy Chapel AME Church, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Former President Joe Biden gets a hug from Rev. Lernette (People) Patterson after speaking at a Juneteenth event at the Reedy Chapel AME Church, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

A band plays during a Juneteenth parade Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

A band plays during a Juneteenth parade Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

A Palestinian woman mourns over the body of her child killed in an Israeli military strike on Gaza, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

A Palestinian woman mourns over the body of her child killed in an Israeli military strike on Gaza, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain stands with his team during a training session at the Queen's Club Tennis Championships in London, England, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain stands with his team during a training session at the Queen's Club Tennis Championships in London, England, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Israeli air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Israeli air defense system fires to intercept missiles during an Iranian attack over Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Palestinians carry the bodies of relatives who were killed in an Israeli military strike on Gaza, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Palestinians carry the bodies of relatives who were killed in an Israeli military strike on Gaza, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Palmeiras' players hug Jose Manuel Lopez, right, after je scored during the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Palmeiras and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Palmeiras' players hug Jose Manuel Lopez, right, after je scored during the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Palmeiras and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Personal objects at the site of a direct hit from an Iranian missile strike in an apartment in Ramat Gan, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Personal objects at the site of a direct hit from an Iranian missile strike in an apartment in Ramat Gan, Israel, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

The damaged headquarters of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Iranian state television, is seen in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

The damaged headquarters of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Iranian state television, is seen in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

A racegoer in a gold dress with long gold nails and a dollar symbol handbag poses for a photograph on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting, traditionally called Ladies Day, at Ascot, England, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

A racegoer in a gold dress with long gold nails and a dollar symbol handbag poses for a photograph on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse race meeting, traditionally called Ladies Day, at Ascot, England, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Acapulco Bay is void of boats while they are stored on shore as the nearby passing of Hurricane Erick brings dark clouds, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Acapulco Bay is void of boats while they are stored on shore as the nearby passing of Hurricane Erick brings dark clouds, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Superman fans dressed in costumes pose during an event as part of the first stop of the Superman World Tour in Pasig city, Philippines on Thursday June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Superman fans dressed in costumes pose during an event as part of the first stop of the Superman World Tour in Pasig city, Philippines on Thursday June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

An Israeli soldier plays beach volley at sunset in Tel Aviv's beachfront Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

An Israeli soldier plays beach volley at sunset in Tel Aviv's beachfront Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA fueled its moon rocket Wednesday for humanity’s first lunar trip in more than half a century, aiming for an evening liftoff with four astronauts.

Tensions were high as hydrogen fuel started flowing into the rocket hours ahead of the planned launch. Dangerous hydrogen leaks erupted during a countdown test earlier this year, forcing a lengthy flight delay.

But no significant leaks occurred by the time Wednesday's fueling wrapped up. The launch team loaded more than 700,000 gallons of fuel (2.6 million liters) into the 32-story Space Launch System rocket on the pad, setting the stage for the Artemis II crew to board.

“It is time to fly,” commander Reid Wiseman said on the eve of launch via X. Favorable weather was forecast.

Three Americans and one Canadian will fly around the moon without stopping or even orbiting — then head straight back for a Pacific splashdown. They will set a new distance record for the farthest humans have traveled from Earth as they zoom some 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) beyond the moon and then hang a U-turn.

Astronauts last flew to the moon during Apollo 17 in 1972.

Artemis II is the opening shot of NASA's grand plans for a permanent moon base. The space program is aiming for a moon landing near the lunar south pole in 2028.

“The next era of exploration begins,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman posted on X.

Best wishes already have started to pour in, including from England's King Charles III to Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

Hansen will become the first non-U. S. citizen to launch to the moon. The crew also includes Christina Koch and Victor Glover, the first woman and first Black astronaut, respectively, destined for the moon.

“In this historic moment, you stand as a bridge between nations and generations,” the king wrote in a letter to Hansen, “and I commend you for your courage, discipline and vision that have brought you to this threshold.”

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

NASA's Artermis II moon rocket sits on Launch Pad 39-B at the Kennedy Space Center hours ahead of a planned launch attempt Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

NASA's Artermis II moon rocket sits on Launch Pad 39-B at the Kennedy Space Center hours ahead of a planned launch attempt Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

This photo provided by NASA shows NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, from left, Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, right, in a group photograph as they visit NASA's Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft, Monday, March 30, 2026, at Launch Complex 39B of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)

This photo provided by NASA shows NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Artemis II commander, from left, Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot, Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, Artemis II mission specialist, right, in a group photograph as they visit NASA's Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft, Monday, March 30, 2026, at Launch Complex 39B of NASA's Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)

NASA's Artermis II moon rocket sits on Launch Pad 39-B at the Kennedy Space Center hours ahead of planned liftoff Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

NASA's Artermis II moon rocket sits on Launch Pad 39-B at the Kennedy Space Center hours ahead of planned liftoff Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Recommended Articles