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NASA's highly anticipated Artemis II mission successfully lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center on April 2, 2026. This mission represents a crucial step forward in the agency's ambitious plans for space exploration.The Artemis program aims to return humans to the lunar surface by 2025 and establish a sustainable presence on the Moon. The Artemis II mission is an uncrewed flight test of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft, which will eventually carry astronauts to the Moon.The launch from Kennedy Space Center's Pad 39B marks a significant milestone in the development of the SLS rocket and the Orion spacecraft. This mission will test the spacecraft's systems and prepare the way for future crewed missions.

Iran's aggressive actions have led to a series of incidents across the Gulf region. Kuwait's international airport was hit by drones from Iran, causing a large fire at its fuel tanks. The airport's spokesman, Abdullah al-Rajhi, confirmed that the attacks were 'brazen' and resulted in material damage but no human injuries.In Bahrain, a fire broke out at an undisclosed company facility due to Iranian aggression, with civil defence crews working to extinguish the blaze. The incident has heightened concerns about the stability of the region.The United Arab Emirates also reported a fatality, with shrapnel from a drone interception killing a Bangladeshi national on a farm in Fujairah city. Authorities are investigating the incident.These attacks are part of a broader conflict between Iran and a US-Israeli coalition. Iran has claimed to target US assets, but Gulf nations assert that Tehran's actions have targeted civilian infrastructure.The economic impact of the conflict is significant, with a UN report estimating that the Arab world's GDP could decline by 3.7 to 6 percent, equivalent to a contraction of $120bn to $194bn, after just one month of war.Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have been complicated by contradictory statements from US President Donald Trump about the potential for a quick exit. Iran has dismissed a US ceasefire proposal as 'maximalist' and 'unreasonable', demanding compensation for damages and a permanent end to hostilities.

The countdown at Kennedy Space Center is in its final stages for the Artemis II launch, the first crewed lunar mission since 1972. NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya confirmed after a Monday management meeting that the mission is cleared for a Wednesday liftoff. Launch window: A two‑hour window opens at 6:24 pm (22:24 GMT) on Wednesday, with daily two‑hour windows remaining available until April 6. The launch can proceed only when the moon’s position, orbital trajectories, weather, and Earth’s rotation align safely. Weather outlook: Forecasts show an 80 % chance of favorable conditions, though cloud cover and high winds remain the primary concerns. The mission has already endured two major setbacks. In early February a liquid‑hydrogen leak forced a scrub, and in early March a helium‑flow issue in the upper stage halted a second attempt. NASA will stream the launch live on YouTube, where viewers can follow the vehicle from rollout to liftoff. Artemis programme overview: Artemis is NASA’s multidecade effort to return humans to the Moon, establish a sustainable presence near the lunar south pole, and eventually enable crewed missions to Mars. The program comprises five missions (Artemis I‑V). Artemis I, an uncrewed test in 2022, validated the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, providing critical data for the current flight. Mission profile: Artemis II will not land; instead, its four‑person crew will perform a lunar flyby, looping around the far side before returning to Earth. The flight will test Orion’s life‑support, navigation, communications, and overall performance in deep space—conditions that cannot be fully replicated on the ground. Crew members: Reid Wiseman (Commander, 50) – veteran NASA astronaut and former ISS commander. Victor Glover (Pilot, 49) – U.S. Navy aviator, first Black astronaut assigned to a lunar mission, previously flew on SpaceX Crew‑1. Christina Koch (Mission Specialist, 47) – holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman (328 days) and has extensive EVA experience. Jeremy Hansen (Mission Specialist, 50) – Canada’s first astronaut slated for a lunar mission, highlighting international collaboration. During the ten‑day journey the crew will evaluate spacecraft systems, conduct radiation and fire‑response drills, perform a suit‑pressurisation test, and carry out medical and scientific experiments while observing the lunar surface. Strategic importance: Artemis II is a stepping stone toward Artemis III (planned for 2027), which will test integrated operations with commercial landers, followed by Artemis IV (early 2028) – the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 – and Artemis V (late 2028) aimed at establishing a lunar base. The program also reinforces U.S. leadership in space amid rising competition, notably from China.

President Donald Trump told allies that Tehran does not need to negotiate a settlement for the hostilities to cease, estimating the conflict could be over in two to three weeks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, however, dismissed any hope of talks, stating that Tehran has zero trust in Washington.US‑Israeli air raids persist across Iran, hitting key industrial and civilian targets such as steel factories in Isfahan and Farokhshahr, pharmaceutical facilities, port infrastructure, meteorological stations and a residential complex. Iranian state media and the Red Crescent reported explosions in cities including Ahvaz, Shiraz, Isfahan, Karaj, Kermanshah and Bandar Abbas.An Iranian official said the Tofigh Daru pharmaceutical raw‑material plant in Tehran was struck, crippling its research and development wing and delivering a "blow to the national medical supply chain." In Bandar Abbas, the Shahid Haqqani passenger pier was bombed, though officials claimed no casualties.A desalination plant on Qeshm Island, crucial for water supply in the Strait of Hormuz, was knocked out of service by the strikes.Analyst Trita Parsi warned that the war is unlikely to end swiftly and that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, noting that it will not be easy for President Trump to simply walk away from the conflict.Casualties have surpassed 2,000 Iranians, with numerous civilian sites—including hospitals, schools, universities and pharmaceutical factories—targeted, raising concerns of potential war‑crime violations.On the diplomatic front, Spain, France and Italy have begun curbing U.S. military operations by closing airspace, denying base access and limiting logistical support. Meanwhile, China and Pakistan have tabled a five‑point cease‑fire proposal that calls for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.Regional leaders are also active: Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have convened to discuss the Iran war, while Argentina, under President Javier Milei, officially labeled Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a “terrorist” organization.Pope Francis (Leo XIV) appealed directly to President Trump, urging an end to the violence and expressing hope that the U.S. leader is moving toward a resolution.In the Gulf, Iranian drones have repeatedly struck Kuwait’s airport, forcing the closure of its airspace since late February; Saudi Arabia has stepped in to provide transport for affected passengers. Bahrain sounded air‑raid sirens, and Saudi forces reported intercepting two additional drones.A merchant vessel north of Doha suffered damage from an "unknown projectile," though the crew remained unharmed and no environmental harm was recorded.U.S. officials remain divided: while Trump predicts a rapid end, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that the United States is "negotiating with bombs" and that the coming days are decisive. The war’s uncertainty has pushed oil prices higher, prompting U.S. Senator Chris Coons to warn that American families face rising grocery, utility and mortgage costs.Israel continues to face coordinated attacks from Iran and Hezbollah, with missile and drone incursions reported across northern and central regions. Despite these threats, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Iran’s regional allies no longer pose an "existential threat," yet Israel plans to maintain its offensive, including operations in Lebanon.In Lebanon, Israeli ground advances and heavy bombardments have resulted in over 1,200 deaths and displaced roughly 1.2 million people since early March. Iraqi militia Kata’ib Sayyid al‑Shuhada warned that any U.S. ground incursion into Iran via Kuwait could trigger an all‑out war.

In the aftermath of recent Israeli airstrikes on Beirut, emergency responders have been deployed across the city to locate and assist potential victims. Teams of firefighters, medical personnel, and rescue volunteers are systematically combing through damaged neighborhoods, searching for survivors and the injured. Authorities have confirmed that the strikes caused significant structural damage, prompting a large‑scale rescue operation. While exact casualty figures remain unverified, officials emphasize that the priority is to provide immediate medical aid and to recover any individuals trapped under debris. The intensified search effort underscores the growing humanitarian concerns linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon. International observers are closely monitoring the situation, urging both sides to exercise restraint and prioritize civilian safety. Local residents have expressed shock and grief, with many awaiting news about loved ones. The coordinated response by emergency services aims to mitigate further loss of life and to deliver essential support to affected communities.

The Artemis moon mission is a landmark international project that embodies the spirit of unity and cooperation. Over 50 years ago, the Apollo astronauts' photographs of Earth from the moon had a profound impact on society, highlighting our planet's fragility and finiteness.This new mission, involving 11 nations and 61 countries that have signed the Artemis accords, aims to revive that sense of unity and shared purpose. The crew of Artemis II, comprising calm, curious, kind, and thoughtful individuals, will fly around the moon and take photographs of Earth from a distance, potentially streaming the experience live.The mission's commander, Reid Wiseman, emphasizes that "we are going as humanity," while astronaut Christina Koch notes that "any country that's interested in exploring, come, come along, be a part of this." Victor Glover, set to be the first African American to fly to the moon, adds that space exploration teaches us that "we're all brothers and sisters."As the Artemis astronauts prepare to experience the profound view of Earth from the moon, they are accompanied by a tiny silicon disc of goodwill messages from world leaders, placed on the lunar surface by the Apollo 11 crew. This message, from Eric Williams, then prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, reads: "It is our earnest hope of mankind that while we gain the moon, we shall not lose the world."The Artemis mission has the potential to inspire a new generation and promote global cooperation, serving as a reminder that we are "riders on the Earth together."

The Guardian’s March reading roundup gathers a diverse set of recommendations from both its writers and its readership, offering a snapshot of the titles that captured their attention over the past month.John Lanchester highlights two recent British novels that resonated with him after completing his own manuscript: Drayton and Mackenzie by Alexander Starritt, a story of friendship intertwined with business, and The New Life by Tom Crewe, which explores gay life in the 1890s. His European picks include Eurotrash by Christian Kracht, a darkly comic road‑trip tale, Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico, a critique of the digital‑nomad lifestyle, and Olga Tokarczuk’s genre‑defying Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead. Lanchester also notes his own recent release, Look What You Made Me Do, available from Faber for £20 via the Guardian bookshop.James, a regular Guardian reader, is immersed in Tom’s Crossing by Mark Danielewski. He describes the 1,200‑page modern western as a masterclass in character depth and meticulous detail, urging readers not to be deterred by its length.Patmeena Sabit turns to shorter forms when time is scarce, recommending Hue and Cry by James Alan McPherson for its understated humanity, Fifty‑Two Stories (a new Chekhov collection translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky) for its blend of classics and previously untranslated pieces, and Ada Limón’s poetry collection Bright Dead Things for its poignant beauty. Sabit also promotes her own work, Good People, published by Virago at £16.99.David praises Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America’s Cold War Prophet by Edward Luce, calling it a dense yet illuminating autobiography that traces U.S. and global power dynamics from the 1960s to the early Trump era, and recommending a piecemeal reading approach.Arash finds profound resonance in Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy. He describes the memoir as an emotionally powerful tribute to Roy’s mother, noting its refusal to fall into gendered clichés while championing compassion and resistance against chauvinism.

The film 'Fuze' is a London heist thriller that promises to deliver a wild ride with its intricate plot and high-stakes action. Written by screenwriter Ben Hopkins and directed by David Mackenzie, the movie boasts a talented cast, including Theo James and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Major Will Tranter, a bomb disposal officer who becomes embroiled in a daring heist. The plot thickens when a crew of bank robbers, led by Theo James and Sam Worthington, use a giant unexploded WWII device as a diversion to tunnel into a safe-deposit vault.The film's tense moments include a three-second bank transfer of millions of illicit dollars, which can be monitored on a smartphone in real-time. The reviewer notes that the movie's chutzpah and athletic plot contortions help to make up for its innate silliness.The movie features a star-studded cast, including Gugu Mbatha-Raw as the Met's chief superintendent. With its action-packed plot and high-stakes heist, 'Fuze' is set to thrill audiences when it hits cinemas on April 3 in the UK, April 16 in Australia, and April 24 in the US.

Just before sunset on Florida’s Space Coast, an estimated 400,000 people are expected to line the beaches and causeways to watch NASA’s Artemis II lift off at 6:24 p.m. ET, weather permitting. The launch will be the first crewed departure from low‑Earth orbit since the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972. Commander Reid Wiseman told reporters at the Kennedy Space Center that the nation and the world have been waiting “a long time” for this moment. The four‑person crew—Americans Christina Koch and Victor Glover, Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, and Wiseman himself—have entered quarantine ahead of the flight. During the 10‑day test flight, which will not attempt a lunar landing, Koch and Glover will become the first woman and first person of color to travel into cislunar space, the region between Earth and the Moon. Hansen will be the first non‑American to do so. The Orion capsule is expected to travel more than 4,600 miles (7,400 km) beyond the Moon’s far side on day six, reaching a total distance of just under 253,000 miles from Earth—surpassing the Apollo 13 record of 248,655 miles set in 1970. Beyond the historic milestones, Artemis II serves as a critical stepping stone for NASA’s broader lunar ambitions. Administrator Jared Isaacman has outlined a $20 billion Moon base program slated for completion by the end of the decade, and the mission will capture high‑resolution images of the Moon’s south‑pole region—potential sites for future landings and the base. Technical preparations have addressed previous setbacks, including a resolved heat‑shield issue from Artemis I and a helium‑leak that delayed Artemis II’s rollout in February. NASA’s final weather briefing gave the launch an 80 % chance of favorable conditions, with a five‑night launch window available should a scrub be required. Inside the capsule, the crew will spend ten days in a confined space roughly the size of a small camper van, testing life‑support systems, radiation exposure, and microgravity effects. Wiseman noted the psychological challenges of close‑quarters living, saying, “By day six or seven we’ll all be thinking, ‘I need a little space,’ but we’re a good crew.” The launch has sparked a surge of tourism in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach, with hotels filling quickly as spring‑breakers add the event to their itineraries. Despite schedule delays and cost overruns—NASA acknowledges the program is “billions of dollars over budget”—the agency remains confident that Artemis II will demonstrate the capabilities needed for the next crewed landing, scheduled for Artemis IV in 2028. As Wiseman summed up, “NASA was founded to tackle the near‑impossible. This mission is the next step in America’s return to the lunar environment, and when we get there, we intend to stay.”