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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".

Federal weather data reveal that March 2026 was the hottest March ever recorded across the continental United States in a 132‑year dataset, with average temperatures soaring to 50.85 °F (10.47 °C), a staggering 9.35 °F (5.19 °C) above the 20th‑century March norm. This anomaly eclipsed the previous record of an 8.9 °F excess set in March 2012, marking the most extreme departure from average temperatures for any month in U.S. history. The month’s daytime highs were equally extreme, averaging 11.4 °F above the long‑term benchmark—almost a degree hotter than the typical April high, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Such extreme warmth is part of a broader trend: six of the ten most abnormal heat months have occurred within the last decade, and February 2026, at 6.57 °F above normal, ranked as the tenth most anomalous month on record. “The March heat wave was unprecedented across the United States,” noted Shel Winkley of Climate Central, emphasizing the sheer volume of records broken. In just two days (March 20‑21), roughly one‑third of the nation experienced temperatures that would have been virtually impossible without human‑induced climate change, according to Climate Central’s analysis. Data compiled by meteorologist Guy Walton shows that more than 19,800 daily temperature records were surpassed in March, and over 2,000 locations set new monthly heat records—a volume of record‑breaking events usually spread across entire decades. Jeff Masters of Yale Climate Connections warned that “climate change is kicking our butts,” adding that the January‑March period was the driest on record for the contiguous United States. The combination of extreme heat and historic dryness threatens water supplies, agriculture, river navigation, and overall ecosystem health. Looking ahead, both the European Copernicus climate service and NOAA project the formation of a “super” El Niño in the coming months, with the potential to amplify global temperatures into late 2026 and 2027. Meteorology professor Victor Gensini of Northern Illinois University cautioned that such an event could push the planet to new record‑high temperature thresholds.

BBC Two’s three‑part series ‘Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy’ attempts to map the arc of the King of Pop from a Midwestern child prodigy to a global phenomenon whose legacy is still contested. Released ahead of the family‑approved biopic Michael, the documentary does not promise fresh revelations; instead, it seeks to place the singer’s meteoric fame, legal controversies and post‑mortem financial empire within a single narrative. The first episode, titled Fame, foregrounds Jackson’s musical genius while also exposing the fraught dynamics of his family life. Interviews with siblings and childhood acquaintances depict a household where “six bunk beds in one room” were the norm, and where fear of their father, Joe Jackson, loomed large. La Toyia Jackson’s recollection that “Michael had a fear of my father – we all did” underscores the pressure that shaped his early years. In The Reckoning, the series shifts to the period of criminal investigations and media scrutiny. Former spiritual adviser Rabbi Shmuley Boteach describes the tragedy as a man who, despite unparalleled attention, remained “utterly lonely.” Prosecutor Ron Zonen argues that the sheer scale of the Jackson enterprise eclipsed the pursuit of justice, noting the obviousness of the abuse allegations in his view. The episode also revisits the 2003 Martin Bashir documentary, which Boteach recalls as a “shock” that contributed to the star’s eventual downfall. The final installment, The Resurrection, examines the attempts to revive Jackson’s career, his sudden death, and the ripple effects of the 2019 Leaving Neverland documentary. The review notes that the allegations have reshaped public perception to the point where many, including the reviewer, find it difficult to engage with his music. The series concludes that the ongoing legal battles—seven alleged victims are currently suing the estate—represent “the most extraordinary effort to uncancel someone in history.” While the documentary assembles an extensive roster of interviewees—family members, former managers, record executives, and even Donald Trump—it occasionally suffers from an overly broad brushstroke that blurs moral clarity. The reviewer acknowledges the valiant effort to strike a middle ground but questions whether such balance is sufficient for a story marked by “wild extremes.” Overall, the series provides a comprehensive, if not groundbreaking, overview of Jackson’s complex narrative, serving as a timely companion piece to the upcoming biopic and a reminder that the conversation around his legacy remains far from settled. Michael Jackson: An American Tragedy is currently streaming on iPlayer.

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.

Brandy's highly anticipated memoir, Phases, co-written with Gerrick Kennedy, provides an intimate look at the singer's life, detailing her formative years, meteoric rise to fame, and struggles with addiction, bullying, and trauma.Brandy, known as the 'Vocal Bible,' has been in the music industry for over 30 years, with a discography that includes undeniable classics like 'Sittin’ Up in My Room', 'The Boy Is Mine', and 'What About Us?'. Despite her success, she has often been underrated, and her memoir aims to set the record straight.The book delves into Brandy's early life in Mississippi and California, where she developed her singing skills in church choirs and youth groups. It also explores her experiences as a teenage superstar, including her role on the hit sitcom Moesha and her struggles with addiction.Brandy shares stories of bullying, including being targeted by a bully named Shanice, and her complicated relationships with musical idols like Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. She also opens up about a toxic relationship with Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men and her side of the story about her highly publicized feud with Monica.The memoir also touches on Brandy's involvement in a fatal car accident in 2006, which left her with survivor's guilt and a deep sense of responsibility. Through it all, Brandy's love for music remained a constant, and she reflects on her journey to becoming one of the most respected vocalists in the industry.Phases is now available on HarperCollins in the US and will be released in Australia on April 1 and in the UK on April 23.

A meteorite event occurred over Ohio on Tuesday morning, producing a significant sonic boom that was felt across a wide area, including parts of Pennsylvania. According to NASA, the meteorite entered Earth's atmosphere at approximately 9 am local time. The meteorite, described as a small asteroid about 2 meters in diameter and weighing around 6 tons, moved at a speed of 45,000 mph. This event caused widespread reports of a loud boom, with residents in Cleveland and as far east as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and into New York state, describing the sound as similar to fireworks or thunder. NASA's meteoroid environment office confirmed that the asteroid was spotted near Medina, Ohio. Despite its relatively small size, the meteorite produced a considerable sonic boom, which was captured on video by a National Weather Service (NWS) employee in Pittsburgh. The NWS's Cleveland office confirmed that satellite data suggested the boom was caused by a meteorite. So far, there have been no reports of debris being found, although it's possible that small fragments may have fallen to Earth. NASA noted that about 17,000 meteorites fall to Earth annually, but most burn up in the atmosphere. The agency also stated that space rocks smaller than a football field typically break apart in Earth's atmosphere, although they can occasionally explode in mid-air.