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The conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel has reached a critical juncture on day 36 of the war. Iran has claimed responsibility for shooting down two US warplanes, a F-15E Strike Eagle and an A-10 Warthog, in a significant escalation of the conflict. Two American crewmembers were rescued, while one airman remains missing after the incidents over the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces and the Gulf. Iranian officials have celebrated the downing of the aircraft as a major military success, demonstrating Tehran's capability to confront US and Israeli forces. The incidents have sparked a major crisis, with search and rescue operations underway for the missing US crewmember. A US Black Hawk helicopter involved in the search was also hit by Iranian fire but managed to remain airborne. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has questioned the US's sincerity about diplomacy, accusing Washington of hypocrisy. The conflict has also had a significant impact on the region, with simultaneous conflicts in Iran, Gaza, and Lebanon costing Israel an estimated $112bn. The war has resulted in at least 2,076 people killed and 26,500 wounded in Iran since the start of the conflict on February 28. The international community remains on high alert, with Iran launching missile attacks on southern Israel and Israel destroying two critical bridges in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley.

NASA has unveiled the first photographs taken from inside the Artemis II Orion spacecraft, where a crew of four astronauts is currently circling the Moon. The images, released on Friday, were captured by mission commander Reid Wiseman through the capsule’s window, revealing a cloud‑shrouded Earth rising beyond the spacecraft. A second shot displays the full globe, complete with shimmering oceans and a faint green aurora, emphasizing the planet’s fragility from deep space. At mid‑morning on Friday, the crew was approximately 100,000 miles (160,000 km) from Earth and had another 160,000 miles (258,000 km) to travel before reaching the Moon, a milestone expected on Monday. The team—three Americans and one Canadian—will orbit the Moon in the Orion capsule before looping back to Earth without landing. The spacecraft entered its lunar trajectory after firing its main engine on Thursday night. Mission specialist Christina Koch, the first woman to travel around the Moon, told ABC News, "I knew that is what we would see, but nothing prepares you for the breathtaking view of our home planet lit up by day and the Moon’s glow at night." She added that the crew is eager to experience similar vistas of the Moon and the eventual return home. The mission is now on its third day of a planned ten‑day flight. On day six, the Orion will make its closest approach to the lunar surface, passing 4,000‑6,000 miles (6,450‑9,650 km) above the Moon. After circling the far side—the first human deep‑space journey of this magnitude in over five decades—the crew will use lunar gravity to set a course back to Earth, with a splashdown slated for April 11 at 00:06 GMT (8:06 p.m. ET on April 10) in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego. Astronaut Victor Glover reflected on the emotional impact of seeing Earth from space, saying, "From up here, you look amazing. Homo sapiens is all of us—no matter where you’re from or what you look like. We’re all one people." He called the mission a true "moonshot" that demonstrates what humanity can achieve when differences are set aside. The released images not only showcase the technical success of Artemis II but also serve as a powerful reminder of our shared planetary identity as the crew prepares for the historic lunar flyby.

Iranian officials have asserted that they successfully downed two United States warplanes in separate incidents. The first aircraft was reported to have been shot down over Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, while the second went down in the Gulf region. According to Tehran’s statements, two U.S. crew members have been rescued, but at least one airman is still unaccounted for. The incident, confirmed by Iranian sources, is being presented as evidence of the country’s advancing air defense capabilities and its resolve to protect sovereign airspace. The downing of the aircraft arrives amid already strained U.S.-Iran relations, raising concerns about potential escalation. Analysts note that such incidents could prompt diplomatic protests, affect regional security calculations, and influence the operational posture of U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East. While the exact models of the downed warplanes have not been disclosed, the events underscore a broader narrative of increasing military assertiveness in the region. The loss of a U.S. crew member, if confirmed, would add a human dimension to the geopolitical fallout, potentially prompting calls for heightened caution on both sides. International observers are monitoring the situation closely, as the incident may impact ongoing negotiations, trade routes through the Gulf, and the strategic balance between regional powers.

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen described the new space‑thriller Project Hail Mary as “a real treat” after watching it with his family and fellow Artemis II crew members ahead of their upcoming lunar fly‑around.During a live broadcast organized by the Canadian Space Agency, Hansen highlighted how the film exemplifies the synergy between art and science, noting that it “inspires people to imagine the sacrifices required to save humanity.”Co‑star Ryan Gosling, who shares Hansen’s Canadian roots in London, Ontario, sent his best wishes to the four astronauts before the mission’s scheduled launch on Wednesday.Hansen’s participation marks a milestone: he is the first non‑U.S. citizen to travel to the Moon. If the mission proceeds as planned, Artemis II will travel more than 250,000 miles from Earth, surpassing the distance record set by Apollo 13 in 1970.The crew’s ambition echoes past cinematic portrayals of space, recalling the acclaimed 1995 film about Apollo 13, and underscores the growing cultural interplay between Hollywood storytelling and real‑world exploration.

Oxford's women's crew delivered a stunning performance in the Boat Race, overcoming Cambridge and ending an 8-year drought without a win. Led by Olympic medallist Heidi Long, the team forged a significant lead early on and maintained it despite challenging conditions.The women's race took place on a windy and overcast day in London, with tens of thousands of spectators lining the 6.8km course. Oxford's crew demonstrated remarkable resilience, with Heidi Long praising her teammates and the team's collective effort.In contrast, Cambridge's men's crew asserted their dominance, winning by 4 lengths in a challenging race. The victory marked Cambridge's 89th win overall, with their coach Rob Baker expressing pride in the team's performance.Oxford's women's coach, Allan French, highlighted the team's dedication and perseverance, noting that their achievement was years in the making. The victory marked Oxford's 31st win in the women's race since its inception in 1927.

The search for a missing US crew member of a downed F-15E fighter jet entered its second day on Saturday, as Iranian media released pictures of wreckage, including a distinctive F-15 tail fin and a used ejector seat.A pilot was rescued on Friday after the F-15E Strike Eagle became the first US plane to be downed over Iran during the five-week-long war, but the second crew member has not been accounted for.US search and rescue efforts are using low-flying Pave Hawk helicopters and specialist C-130 Hercules transport. Military pilots said the missing crew member would be trying to hide for as long as possible from the Iranian military and potentially seeking to transmit their location relative to a known secret point.Israel extended its war in Lebanon with increased airstrikes, targeting sites in Beirut and Tyre. The Israeli military said it had conducted a wave of strikes on Tehran overnight against what it said were air defence, ballistic missile storage and weapons development facilities.The US president, Donald Trump, said on Friday the episode would not affect efforts to negotiate a peace settlement with Iran. However, he also threatened an unspecified escalation, saying Iran had 48 hours to comply with his demands or face consequences.The conflict has resulted in significant damage and loss of life, with at least 1,900 people killed and 20,000 injured in Iran since the start of the war, according to estimates from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.

Iranian military units have launched a coordinated search for the two pilots of a United States F‑15 fighter jet that was struck by an Iranian air‑defence system over the country's southwest region. The operation, reported by the state‑run Fars news agency, is the first documented crew‑recovery effort since the US‑Israeli war with Iran began on 28 February. State media released images showing the aircraft's wreckage, including an ejection seat attached to a parachute, underscoring the seriousness of the incident. Reuters cited two U.S. officials confirming that a fighter jet was downed and that a search‑and‑rescue mission is underway for any survivors. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad‑Bagher Ghalibaf used the event to mock President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of victory, posting on social media that the conflict had been reduced from "regime change" to a plea for the location of the pilots. According to Iranian reports, the downed aircraft was an F‑15 likely crewed by two pilots. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) have not issued an immediate comment, a pattern consistent with past Iranian claims that CENTCOM swiftly denied. Local Iranian television broadcast footage of the jet's debris, and officials appealed to civilians to remain vigilant for any survivors. The governor of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer‑Ahmad province announced that anyone who captures the crew would receive special commendation, as relayed by the semi‑official ISNA news agency. U.S. lawmakers responded with statements of support. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X, "I’m praying for the safe return of the crew aboard the fighter jet and all of those working to rescue them in these dangerous conditions." Since the war's onset, the United States has reported the loss of three F‑15s in a friendly‑fire incident over Kuwait and a refuelling aircraft that crashed in Iraq, killing six crew members. Iran, meanwhile, claims to have downed dozens of U.S. drones and continues to assert that its new air‑defence system, introduced after the 12‑day war, remains operational. While President Trump and his advisers repeatedly assert that the United States has neutralised Iran’s air‑defences, the downing of the jet and the ensuing search highlight the ongoing volatility of the conflict.

Meanwhile, powerful blasts rocked northern Tehran, as Israel said it had launched a new wave of strikes on the Iranian capital and Beirut. The Associated Press also reported, citing an Israeli official, that Israel had suspended airstrikes in areas 'relevant' to the rescue operation in Iran.

The Artemis II crew has made contact from space, marking a crucial step in their mission. While details of the communication are scarce, the achievement underscores the progress of NASA's Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon.The crew's ability to establish communication from space highlights the advancements in space technology and the resilience of the spacecraft's systems. This development is a positive indicator for the mission's overall success and future endeavors in space exploration.