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The evening’s television line‑up offers a mix of heartfelt competition, natural‑history wonder and high‑profile live events, giving viewers plenty of reasons to stay tuned.9 pm – Channel 4 – Your Song: Produced by the team behind The Piano, this new talent show invites ordinary Britons to perform the songs that hold personal meaning. Hosted and judged by Alison Hammond, Paloma Faith and Sam Ryder, the series launches from Liverpool with stories ranging from a teenager’s Bocelli tribute to a lift‑engineer’s pipe‑organ showcase, all racing toward a finale at the Hackney Empire.6 pm – BBC One – Secret Garden: David Attenborough returns to domestic natural history, turning his lens on a modest garden in Bristol. The programme explores the hidden dramas of urban foxes, blue tits and goldfinches, revealing how a tiny plot can host an entire ecosystem.7 pm – BBC Two – Olivier Awards 2026: The Royal Albert Hall hosts the 50th anniversary of Britain’s premier theatre awards, with Nick Mohammed as host. Into the Woods and Paddington: the Musical lead the nominations with eleven each, while Elaine Page receives a Special Award. Rumours swirl about a surprise performance from the awards’ most famous marmalade lover.7.40 pm – Channel 4 – The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer: A comforting Sunday tradition returns, featuring celebrity bakers Ralf Little, Mutya Buena and Mark Wright. Their creations—savory pull‑apart rolls and vegan fruit tarts—aim to raise funds for cancer research.8 pm – BBC One – The Other Bennet Sister: This Pride & Prejudice spin‑off follows Ella Bruccoleri’s Mary as she navigates the attentions of Mr Hayward and Mr Ryder, with a storm‑laden hike adding further tension to the series’ impending conclusion.10.15 pm – ITV1 – Savage River: Australian crime drama starring Katherine Langford returns, following ex‑con Miki Anderson as she attempts a fresh start in her hometown, only to become the prime suspect when a new crime erupts.Film choice – Sky Cinema Premiere – Blue Moon (6.10 am & 7.10 pm): Richard Linklater’s melancholy drama, anchored by Ethan Hawke’s transformative performance, imagines a night in the life of struggling Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart, whose post‑opening despair leads him to a cocktail of regret.4.15 pm – Channel 4 – Soul: Pixar’s latest metaphysical adventure, co‑directed by Pete Docter and Kemp Powers, follows deceased music teacher Joe (voiced by Jamie Foxx) as he navigates a limbo for unborn souls, meeting the reluctant 22 (Tina Fey) in a story that blends child‑friendly wonder with adult reflections on purpose.Live sport: Premier League action kicks off with Sunderland vs Tottenham at 1 pm on Sky Sports Main Event, followed by Chelsea vs Manchester City at 4.25 pm, offering football fans a double‑header of top‑flight drama.

The recent 10-day space mission of the Artemis II crew has garnered attention, but the true test of endurance might not be in space, but in an office setting. Commander Reid Wiseman, mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, and pilot Victor Glover spent time in a capsule described as “not much bigger than a family tent”. While they navigated the challenges of confined space, their experience pales in comparison to the complexities of office politics.Anyone who has worked in an office can attest that surviving with colleagues in a confined environment is a significant test of endurance. The Artemis II crew had to get along without time off, which would be challenging even for experienced professionals. The quirks and habits of colleagues can become amplified in such settings, leading to increased tension and stress.The writer of this piece reflects on their own experience in a mundane office job at a stationery firm. They recall the boredom and impotence that led to a fixation on trivial matters, such as a dispute over a window being open or closed. This petty feud became an all-consuming battle that defined their time at the office.The writer notes that, unlike the Artemis II crew, they had the option to leave the office at the end of the day. However, their obsession with the window dispute led them to spend more time at their desk, avoiding breaks and social interactions. The comparison between the crew's space test and the writer's office experience highlights the universal challenges of working with others.Ultimately, the Artemis II crew's achievement is impressive, but it also underscores the importance of interpersonal skills and conflict resolution in any confined or high-stress environment. As the writer concludes, surviving an office job can be just as challenging as surviving in space.

The United States and Iran have initiated direct talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, in an effort to bring an end to their six-week conflict. These face-to-face discussions, confirmed by the White House, follow a recent fragile ceasefire agreement and separate bilateral meetings with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The US delegation, led by US Vice President JD Vance, includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump. The Iranian delegation, comprising over 70 people, is headed by parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. According to Iranian state media, the talks proceeded after Iranian preconditions were met, including a reduction in Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Iran had insisted on the inclusion of Lebanon in the ceasefire and the lifting of US sanctions as prerequisites for the negotiations. Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif expressed hope that these talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace in the region. Despite earlier assertions from Tehran that they would not engage without commitments on Lebanon's inclusion and US sanctions, the negotiations have moved forward. Sources indicate some progress on basic conditions, including the need for a ceasefire in Lebanon, with reports of a possible understanding to limit strikes to southern Lebanon. There are also indications of potential movement on the unfreezing of Iranian assets. US President Donald Trump posted on social media that the only reason Iranian officials were alive was to negotiate a deal, stating that Iran had no cards other than short-term extortion. Vance expressed optimism about a positive outcome but warned that the negotiating team would not be receptive if Iran tried to play them.

Benin is set to choose a new head of state on Sunday, April 12, 2026, in an election that appears to favor the governing coalition’s nominee, finance minister Romuald Wadagni. The 49‑year‑old, a former Deloitte executive, has been hand‑picked by outgoing President Patrice Talon, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term after a decade in power. With roughly eight million eligible voters on the rolls, the contest requires a candidate to secure more than 50 % of the vote; otherwise a runoff would be scheduled for May 10. In practice, only two names appear on the ballot: Wadagni, representing the Progressive Union Renewal‑Republican Bloc alliance, and Paul Hounkpe, the 56‑year‑old former teacher and culture minister who runs under the Cowry Forces for an Emerging Benin (FCBE) banner. Wadagni’s campaign emphasizes continuity of Talon’s economic reforms. Under Talon, Benin’s budget tripled and the country posted its strongest GDP growth in over twenty years, with the International Monetary Fund estimating a 7 % expansion in 2025. Investment in trade, agriculture and the Cotonou port has driven this performance, though benefits remain uneven, especially in the poorer northern regions. Security concerns dominate the northern frontier, where al‑Qaeda and IS‑linked militias from the Sahel have intensified cross‑border raids. Recent attacks by the JNIM network killed 54 soldiers in 2025 and another 15 in early 2026. A failed coup attempt in December 2025, allegedly motivated by neglect of troops in the north, left about 100 suspects awaiting trial. Wadagni has pledged to create municipal police forces to protect border towns, while Hounkpe warns that the current administration has sidelined citizens despite macro‑economic gains. Beyond economics and security, the election raises questions about Benin’s democratic health. Talon’s government has been criticized for suppressing protests, extending presidential terms from five to seven years, and enabling the president to appoint Senate members—moves that have effectively eliminated opposition representation. In the January parliamentary vote, Talon’s allies captured all 109 seats, and the main opposition party, the Democrats, failed to field a presidential candidate. Observers note that voter turnout will be a key barometer of public sentiment. The last presidential election saw only about 50 % participation. Al Jazeera reporter Ahmed Idris described the atmosphere at a governing‑party rally in Cotonou as “lively,” but cautioned that it may not reflect the broader mood in a nation where democratic space appears to be shrinking. Should Wadagni win, he pledges to build on a decade of “economic transformation,” expanding development hubs and healthcare access while maintaining fiscal discipline. Hounkpe, positioned as a moderate alternative, promises to lower basic commodity prices and secure the release of political prisoners detained under Talon’s rule. The outcome will shape Benin’s trajectory at a critical juncture: balancing sustained economic growth, confronting escalating security threats from the Sahel, and navigating the tension between authoritarian tendencies and the country’s reputation as one of West Africa’s more stable democracies.

Senior Iranian officials, including parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, for ceasefire talks with the United States. The US delegation, led by Vice President JD Vance, along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is representing Washington in the negotiations.Ahead of the talks, Vance indicated a potential opening for diplomacy, stating that Washington is ready to “extend an open hand” if Iran negotiates in good faith. However, the situation on the ground remains volatile, with Lebanon’s Health Ministry reporting that at least 357 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, with the death toll expected to rise.In IranIran is experiencing a near internet blackout that has passed 1,000 hours, making it one of the longest nationwide internet disruptions on record, according to the monitoring group NetBlocks.Analyst Zohreh Kharazmi noted that Iranians remain sceptical ahead of the negotiations, despite Tehran believing it holds leverage, including over the Strait of Hormuz.War DiplomacyIran’s delegation of top officials arrived in Islamabad for ceasefire talks with the US, as reported by Iranian state television on Friday.Lebanon’s presidency announced that a meeting will be held at the US Department of State on Tuesday to discuss declaring a ceasefire and the start date for negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under US auspices.Iran demands a truce in Lebanon and the release of its blocked assets as Vance warned Tehran not to “play” Washington in their talks.US President Donald Trump stated that Iran has “no cards” in upcoming talks with the US and mentioned that US warships are being reloaded with weaponry to strike Iran if the talks fail to produce a deal.In the USTrump says the Strait of Hormuz will reopen ‘fairly soon’, pledging that Washington will “open up the Gulf” amid ongoing disruption to global energy supplies.Former US ambassador Douglas Silliman noted that Trump is likely to push for a fast outcome in the talks to ease economic pressure, with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz seen as a critical priority.US consumer prices surged to a two-year high, increasing pressure on the administration as economic concerns grow at home.In IsraelThe US has reportedly asked Israel to halt attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon to avoid derailing negotiations, with the current US-Iran ceasefire set to expire on April 21.Israel’s military operations and expanding ground offensive in Lebanon continued, even as ceasefire negotiations were scheduled.In Gaza and JerusalemMore than 100,000 people attended the first Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem since its reopening following the US-Iran truce, the holy site’s Islamic authority reported.An Israeli air strike killed at least six people and injured several others at the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.In LebanonHeavy toll from Israeli attacks: Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that nearly 2,000 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes and ground operations since early March, with thousands more wounded.Lebanon is facing a food security crisis, with prices surging and supply chains disrupted amid Israel’s offensive, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

NASA's Artemis II mission has achieved a major milestone with the successful return of its four astronauts to Earth, marking the end of a 10-day journey that took them farther into space than any human has gone before. The crew, comprising NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, completed a parachute landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 5:07 pm Pacific time (00:07 GMT). This mission is a critical step towards future lunar exploration, particularly Artemis IV, which aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era. The Artemis II mission tested essential technologies for deep space travel, including the performance of the Orion capsule's heat shield, navigation systems, and life-support technology. The mission also marked several historic firsts: Glover became the first person of color to travel around the moon, Koch the first woman, and Hansen the first non-American. During their journey, the crew witnessed a solar eclipse and meteorite impacts, and shared vivid descriptions of the lunar surface. Mission commander Wiseman reflected on the mission's significance, stating, "what we really hoped in our soul is that we could, for just a moment, have the world pause — and remember that this is a beautiful planet in a very special place in our universe".

After a turbulent week that saw Liverpool suffer cup defeats to Manchester City and Paris Saint‑Germain, manager Arne Slot finally found a morale boost when 17‑year‑old winger Rio Ngumoha opened the scoring on his second Premier League start. Ngumoha’s strike, followed by a second‑half finish from Mohamed Salah, secured Liverpool’s first league win since February. Fulham, under Marco Silva, were passive and struggled to create clear chances, allowing Liverpool to dominate possession and reach the historic milestone of 1,500 league victories at Anfield. The win marked only the second triumph in six matches after a demanding Champions League away fixture, offering a needed lift before the upcoming quarter‑final second leg against PSG. Slot praised Ngumoha’s performance, saying, "He has a special quality that you don’t see very often in football any more – dominating the one‑on‑one." The manager added that the teenager’s power and finishing have been evident in training, making his impact on the pitch "pleasing". Outside the stadium, a banner reading ‘No to ticket price increases’ was displayed on the Kop, reflecting fan unrest after the club announced ticket hikes tied to inflation for the next three seasons. The protest underscored concerns that Liverpool could alienate its traditional fanbase in favour of a more tourist‑focused model. The opening half saw early chances from Jeremie Frimpong and Salah, but it was Ngumoha who changed the complexion of the game. After a loose ball from Florian Wirtz, Ngumoha received the ball on the left, dazzled Timothy Castagne with a series of step‑overs, and curled a precise shot around Joachim Andersen into the far corner. The goal was historic: at 17 years and 225 days, Ngumoha became Liverpool’s youngest league scorer at Anfield, breaking a 14‑year record previously held by Raheem Sterling. The achievement highlighted the club’s emerging talent pipeline at a time when senior players are under intense scrutiny. Slot hinted that Ngumoha could feature in the upcoming Champions League tie, noting, "I think he’s ready. The question is can he do it again two days later? But would he be able to perform at that level? Yes." The manager’s confidence reflects a strategic shift as he balances youth integration with the demands of elite European competition. Six minutes after the break, Ngumoha assisted Cody Gakpo, whose cross was turned home by Salah for Liverpool’s second goal, cementing a comfortable two‑goal cushion. Fulham attempted to revive their game with substitutions, introducing Emile Smith Rowe and Sasa Lukic, but Liverpool’s dominance persisted. A further setback for Liverpool came when Curtis Jones suffered a groin injury, forcing a halftime substitution and likely ruling him out of the PSG match. Silva admitted his side’s lack of aggression, stating, "The game was decided in five minutes and by our approach in the first half." The result not only restores confidence for Liverpool but also sets the stage for a high‑stakes encounter with the European champions.

The Artemis II crew has just returned from a ten‑day journey that looped around the Moon, marking only the second launch of the Artemis system and the first with humans aboard. NASA admits that the limited data from this mission makes risk assessment difficult.To date, the Artemis programme has consumed almost $100 billion (≈£75 billion). The U.S. Congress’s 2025 "one big beautiful bill" earmarked $9.9 billion for the upcoming Artemis IV and V flights, with even larger sums projected for a permanent lunar base.The scientific case for lunar exploration remains compelling: studying the Moon can illuminate the Solar System’s formation and provide a pristine platform for telescopes, especially on the far side where radio interference is minimal.However, the article questions whether human presence is essential. While astronauts still offer unique capabilities, the author suggests that within a decade robots—already proven on Mars by Curiosity and Perseverance—will outperform humans in cost, endurance, and operational flexibility.China’s lunar ambitions underscore the geopolitical stakes. After successful robotic orbiters and landers, Beijing retrieved the first far‑side soil samples in 2024 and plans a 2025 mission to the south pole with an orbiter, lander, and "mini‑hopper". By 2028, China aims to test equipment for a lunar base, potentially mirroring the U.S. push for crewed landings.Advances in AI, sensor technology, and autonomous navigation could soon enable robots to conduct near‑self‑directed scientific surveys and even construct infrastructure, diminishing the practical advantage of astronauts.Historical examples, such as the Hubble Space Telescope’s on‑orbit repairs, are revisited. The article cites Riccardo Giacconi’s view that, without the human element, multiple Hubble‑class telescopes could have been launched for the same budget, illustrating how crewed interventions may no longer be cost‑effective.The launch of the James Webb Space Telescope in 2021—operating far beyond the reach of routine astronaut servicing—demonstrates that complex, high‑value missions can succeed without crewed support, reinforcing the argument that human spaceflight now serves more as a prestige project than a scientific necessity.In conclusion, while the awe of viewing Earth from lunar orbit endures, the article contends that the future of space exploration will be defined by robots and private sponsorship, not by the costly and risky deployment of astronauts to the Moon or beyond.

Al Jazeera’s analysis by Trita Parsi, published on April 10, 2026, raises a pressing concern: is the US‑Iran ceasefire already doomed? The article invites readers to scrutinise early warning signs that could undermine the fragile truce.While the piece does not present new data, it underscores the strategic importance of the ceasefire for both Washington and Tehran, noting that any breakdown could reverberate across the broader Middle‑East diplomatic landscape.Parsi’s questioning of the ceasefire’s durability serves as a reminder that peace agreements, especially those involving long‑standing rivals, require constant vigilance and robust mechanisms to prevent a rapid slide back into conflict.