Chance of alien life ‘goes to heart’ of space missions, Nasa chief says 05. April 2026 (19:26) Jared Isaacman says odds of evidence we are not alone are ‘pretty high’ four days after Artemis II rocket lifted offNasa’s Orion spaceship four days into Artemis II mission: in picturesThe top official at Nasa says that the chance of alien existence is a factor in how the US space agency plans its missions.Speaking on Sunday, Nasa administrator Jared Isaacman told CNN’s Meet the Press that investigating the existence of alien life “goes to the heart of many things that we do at Nasa”, adding: “Our job here is to go out and try and unlock the secrets of the universe.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Hungarian PM faces ‘false flag’ claims after Serbia says explosives found near pipeline 05. April 2026 (19:13) Incident prompts political scrutiny across Hungary as Viktor Orbán trails in polls before next Sunday’s electionSerbia has said it found “explosives of devastating power” near a pipeline that carries Russian natural gas to Hungary and beyond, sparking claims by Hungary’s leading opposition candidate of a possible “false flag” operation aimed at influencing the country’s elections.On Sunday, Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, said he had been informed by Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vučić, of the discovery near an extension of the TurkStream pipeline, which transports Russian gas through the Balkans to central and eastern Europe. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
‘Unhinged madman’: US politicians react to Trump’s expletive-laden threat to Iran 05. April 2026 (19:01) Marjorie Taylor Greene and Bernie Sanders among those responding with alarm to Trump writing ‘open the fuckin’ strait, you crazy bastards’Middle East crisis – live updatesSome US politicians have reacted with alarm and questioned the US president’s mental state after Donald Trump issued an abusive, expletive-laden threat to Iran in which he called on the regime to “open the fuckin’ strait [of Hormuz], you crazy bastards”, as he threatened to further attack the country’s energy and transport infrastructure.The US president wrote on his Truth Social platform: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the Fuckin’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.” Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Seven arrested over alleged support for Palestine Action at RAF Lakenheath protest 05. April 2026 (18:08) Protesters held on Sunday after joining a Lakenheath Alliance for Peace encampment outside airbase in SuffolkSeven people have been arrested under suspicion of supporting the banned group Palestine Action after a protest in Suffolk.They were arrested on Sunday morning after joining a peace encampment to create a blockade outside the main gate of Lakenheath airbase. The protest was organised after media reports that a US fighter jet shot down in Iran on Friday had taken off from the Lakenheath base. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Despite propaganda coup of F-15 crew rescue, downing is reminder to US that Iran can fight back 05. April 2026 (17:32) Donald Trump will claim rescue as a triumph but 48-hour drama should be a caution against launching ground operationMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump will inevitably claim the rescue of the second crew member of the downed F-15 fighter as a propaganda triumph, though the 48-hour drama is a reminder that an undefeated Iran is able to fight back and inflict costs on the US.It also ought to be a caution for a White House still contemplating a ground operation in Iran whether to seize an island in the Persian Gulf – particularly if there a serious ambition to extract Iran’s highly enriched uranium from deep underground. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Artemis II astronauts expected to reach far side of moon on Monday 05. April 2026 (17:22) Nasa team get deeper into space than any humans have ever venturedAstronauts on the historic Artemis II mission are expected to reach the far side of the moon on Monday, venturing deeper into space than any humans before.Nasa has reported satisfaction with progress toward the lunar fly-round since the team’s launch on Wednesday, with the three Americans and one Canadian on course to break the record for maximum range from Earth just as a total solar eclipse awaits. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Aboriginal child moved 1,700km from remote NT community should be returned, family court rules 05. April 2026 (17:00) Judge says boy should go back to his community to learn about stories and rituals ‘that can only be taught on country’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastAn Aboriginal child who was moved 1,700km from his remote Northern Territory community should be returned to ensure he can experience his culture, the family court has found.The boy, known as X in the court proceedings, was born in 2016, when his mother was in prison. She did not take part in the court proceedings, and the man believed to be the boy’s father only took a limited part in the case. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
They’re in clouds, electric sockets and even on toast. Why do humans see faces in everyday objects? 05. April 2026 (17:00) Human brains are designed to detect faces as quickly as possible, which can lead to the perception of ‘false faces’Faces: we see them in clouds, electrical outlets and even a $28,000 toasted sandwich said to look like the Virgin Mary.Known as face pareidolia, seeing faces in inanimate objects or patterns of light and shadow is a common phenomenon. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
UK has detained 76 ‘age-disputed’ children under one in, one out scheme 05. April 2026 (16:00) Concerns raised over minors placed in adult detention centres since removals began under scheme in SeptemberMore than 70 children from various conflict zones whose ages were disputed by the Home Office have been held in detention centres in the UK in preparation for forced removal to France under the government’s “one in, one out” scheme, research shows.The one in, one out initiative means each small boat arrival can be forcibly returned to France in exchange for another person – who has not attempted the crossing – being brought to the UK legally. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Labour to back down on foie gras and fur bans to ease EU trade deal 05. April 2026 (15:00) Exclusive: Animal welfare charities ‘bitterly disappointed’ UK government plans to backtrack on manifesto promisesThis article contains an image of a duck being force-fed that some readers may find upsettingThe UK government is to break a manifesto commitment to ban foie gras imports, and has declined to stop fur imports, after the EU made these red lines in its discussions for a trade deal.Animal welfare charities say they are “bitterly disappointed” that ministers are failing to use powers granted by Brexit to restrict the import of these “cruel” items. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
