Artemis II astronauts prepare to leave Earth’s orbit and head towards the moon 02. April 2026 (17:15) Nasa mission enters second day, with crew hoping to become first people to orbit moon in more than 50 yearsFour astronauts are preparing to leave Earth’s orbit and slingshot towards the moon as Nasa’s Artemis II mission enters its second day.The high-stakes 10-day voyage is expected to mark the first time in half a century that humans will return to the vicinity of the moon. It is a crucial test of Nasa’s ambition to land humans back on the lunar surface this decade, and stay there permanently. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
AOC vows to block future US military aid to Israel, its Iron Dome and defense 02. April 2026 (17:14) Ocasio-Cortez says Israel can fund its own defense and she will oppose any new US aid amid human rights concernsUS politics live – latest updatesSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a US representative, said on Wednesday that she will oppose any future US military aid to Israel, including for defensive systems.In a statement on social media, Ocasio-Cortez said that Israel was fully capable of funding “Iron Dome and other defensive systems”, and that “consistent with my voting record to date, I will not support Congress sending more taxpayer dollars and military aid to a government that consistently ignores international law and US law”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Coalition of countries to work on rescuing ships trapped in strait of Hormuz 02. April 2026 (16:59) Yvette Cooper hosted virtual summit of more than 40 countries aimed at reopening vital shipping laneMiddle East crisis live – latest updatesPlans to clear sea mines and rescue trapped ships in the strait of Hormuz will be discussed at a global military planning meeting next week, after a virtual summit of more than 40 countries convened on Thursday hosted by Yvette Cooper.Ahead of the summit, the British foreign secretary condemned “Iranian recklessness” for “hitting global economic security” as she led talks aimed at reopening the vital shipping lane. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Partial shutdown drags on as US House takes no action on compromise deal 02. April 2026 (16:43) Senate-passed funding plan for DHS languishes despite agreement between Republican congressional leadersSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe US House of Representatives on Thursday took no action on a compromise measure that would end the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), raising questions about how much longer the record-long funding lapse will persist.The department has been without funding since mid-February, after Democrats refused to vote for its appropriations unless Republicans agreed to new guardrails on federal agents involved in immigration enforcement operations. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Curated chaos’: Danny Boyle on the ‘pop culture spectacular’ he is bringing to London’s Southbank Centre 02. April 2026 (16:39) Director and producer is co-creator of You Are Here, a one-day immersive theatrical event traversing 75 years of youth cultureOut of chaos come great cultural movements, according to the director and producer Danny Boyle, who will inflict a little curated chaos on London’s Southbank Centre with what has been described as an “epic, one-off pop culture spectacular”.Boyle, whose 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony drew on the rich thread of British culture, is the co-creator and director of You Are Here, a one-day immersive theatrical event traversing 75 years of youth culture and social movement: think teddy boys, Lovers’ Rock, punk, Ziggy Stardust, rave, acid house, the spoken word, Brit pop, ballroom to name a few. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
