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UK Defense Minister Issues Stern Warning to Putin Over Secret Underwater Operation: Potential Repercussions Unveiled

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UK Defense Minister Issues Stern Warning to Putin Over Secret Underwater Operation: Potential Repercussions Unveiled

In a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.K. Defense Minister John Healey announced on Thursday the potential “serious consequences” for any Russian interference in the North Sea. This statement followed the disclosure of a military operation aimed at deterring Russian activities in the region.

Healey addressed Putin directly, stating, “We are aware of your actions around our cables and pipelines. Any attempts to damage them will not be tolerated and will be met with serious repercussions.”

The defense minister detailed the operation, which involved the deployment of a Royal Navy frigate, a Royal Air Force patrol aircraft, and hundreds of personnel. Their mission was to deter three Russian submarines detected near underwater cables within the United Kingdom’s economic exclusion zone.

UK Defense Minister John Healey

Delivering his remarks at 9 Downing Street in London on Thursday, April 9, 2026, Healey provided insights into the recent U.K. military activities. (Yui Mok/Pool Photo via AP)

One of the detected submarines was identified as a nuclear-powered Akula-class submarine. The other two were spy submarines from Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research, known as GUGI. According to Healey, these submarines were under Putin’s direct orders “to engage in hybrid warfare activities against the UK” and its allies.

At least one of those allies, Norway, was involved in the deterrent operation, Healey revealed. Norway’s Defense Minister Tore O Sandvik confirmed the cooperation in a Thursday statement. 

“Norway has participated in a coordinated military operation with our allies to send a clear message: covert activities in our waters will not be tolerated,” Sandvik wrote.

The submarines left U.K. waters after a protracted period of monitoring from the U.K. and Norway, and there is no evidence of damage to any underwater infrastructure, Healey said. 

Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.K.’s Defense Department for more information. 

The Russian incursion marked the second time in less than six months that the U.K. detected Russian seacraft near its territorial waters. Healey announced a similar military operation in November after Russia deployed the spy ship Yantar to the North Sea in 2025.

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting to discuss the situation in Dagestan hit by severe flood via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Healey also cited this year’s incident as an example of why the U.K. hasn’t sent troops to the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway in the Persian Gulf key to global energy markets that Iran has choked off in recent weeks.

“I understand people questioning why all UK military assets and personnel have not been deployed to deal with it. But that is not in Britain’s national interest,” he said, later calling Russia “the primary threat to the UK and to NATO.” 

President Donald Trump has criticized NATO allies and the organization itself for not acceding to requests to help open the Strait of Hormuz. 

“NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN,” he wrote in a Thursday morning Truth Social post.

A Russian submarine

Russian personnel walk on the gangway to Russian Navy submarine RFS Petropavlosvsk-Kamchatskiy, which is currently on a port visit at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

The U.K., while holding a planning meeting on how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after the Iran War is over, initially refused to let the U.S. use a British air base to launch military strikes against Iran. 

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer eventually allowed the U.S. to launch “defensive strikes” from Royal Air Force bases after Trump slammed him as “not Winston Churchill.”

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Preschool Teacher Allegedly Drags Child by Feet, Abandons Him in Hallway, Police Report

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Preschool Teacher Allegedly Drags Child by Feet, Abandons Him in Hallway, Police Report

Inset: Stacy Vaughn Marcella (Hartford Police Department). Background: University of Hartford Magnet School where the incident allegedly took place (Google Maps).

In Connecticut, a 61-year-old preschool teacher faces serious allegations after reportedly dragging a young student by his feet across a classroom, then leaving him unattended in a hallway for several minutes. The incident concluded when another staff member intervened.

Stacy Vaughn-Marcella has been charged with a felony for risking injury to a child following the events of December 1 at the University of Hartford Magnet School, according to the Hartford Courant. The report was confirmed by court documents.

The investigation began the day after the incident when a woman, who picked up the child from school, was informed about the situation during dismissal. She later reviewed the classroom video footage, which she claimed showed Vaughn-Marcella dragging the child by his feet and leaving him alone in the corridor.

The unsettling episode occurred just before nap time. The boy, in a classroom with other 3- and 4-year-olds, became upset after being denied access to a play station and began throwing items. Witness accounts reveal he climbed onto a bookshelf, pulling items off the wall, according to CT Insider.

The situation intensified after the boy was assisted off the bookshelf, escalating to the point where intervention became necessary.

Some witnesses told police Vaughn-Marcella took the boy down and, while he was lying on his back, “dragged him by the feet out the door to a common area,” where he remained for five to 10 minutes, the affidavit reportedly said. The teacher then closed the door.

While in the hallway, the boy “repeatedly threw a wooden object” at the classroom door, the report states. A staff member later found him “crying in a corner” and took him to see a behavior specialist.

A paraeducator similarly told investigators the boy had been kicking on the ground when Vaughn-Marcella grabbed his legs and dragged him approximately 10 to 12 feet out of the classroom, the Courant reported.

Surveillance video reviewed by police captured part of the incident, though the view was partially blocked. An officer noted the child appeared to be in “distress” after being left outside the room.

The child was later evaluated at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center after appearing dizzy and “not acting himself,” but doctors did not find any injuries, police said.

Vaughn-Marcella denied intentionally dragging the child. She told investigators the boy “rolled his back on the floor and began kicking her with ‘all of his might,’” describing his behavior as a fit of “rage and anger,” CT Insider reported. She said she grabbed one of his legs to stop the kicking, but “he flailed and kicked her with a different foot.”

“As [the child] continued to kick in her direction, his body was moving on the floor,” she told police, adding that when they reached the door, “she let him go out the door” and closed it.

She said she left the boy in the hallway because she believed he could hurt other children and claimed she could still monitor him through a glass door.

While the incident occurred in December 2025, parents of all students were not notified until late March, when an email was sent stating that a staff member had been arrested in connection with an on-campus incident, WFSB reported. The message did not identify Vaughn-Marcella or detail the allegations, prompting some parents to question the delay.

Vaughn-Marcella was arrested Jan. 22 and later released on a $5,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on April 29.

School officials said the teacher was placed on administrative leave immediately after the allegation surfaced and will not return.

“CREC Magnet Schools placed the individual on administrative leave in December, immediately after an allegation was made, and confirmed that the individual would not return to any CREC school after the individual’s arrest,” Superintendent Sasha Douglas said in a statement. “Families of students who worked directly with the staff member were notified of the leave in December, as soon as the investigation was opened. At that time, CREC also took immediate steps to secure qualified staffing and ensure that student instruction continued without significant interruption. At the direction of legal counsel, the school proceeded with broader communication once we were assured that it would not interfere with the integrity of the active investigation or internal personnel procedures.”

Will Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Survive Its Crucial Federal Election Challenge?

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Will Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Survive Its Crucial Federal Election Challenge?
The success or failure of One Nation’s first federal test could hinge on two major elements: gas and water.
One Nation is hot on the heels of the Liberals in the crowded Farrer by-election next month, where the twin issues of gas exports and the health of the Murray-Darling Basin loom large for voters.
One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson during a doorstop interview in the press gallery at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday 25 March 2026. fedpol Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson’s party will face its first federal test in May. (Alex Ellinghausen)
“I think both major political parties have a lot to answer about the water issue,” Hanson told Nine.com.au.

“The issue has never been fully resolved,” a concerned voice echoed, emphasizing the need for a royal commission to thoroughly investigate the management of the Murray-Darling Basin. This call to action stems from a growing dissatisfaction with how the situation has been handled to date.

Pauline Hanson, leader of the One Nation Party, has been vocal about her belief that both the Labor and Coalition parties have lost touch with the everyday Australians. She argues that this disconnect is especially evident in their approach to managing the nation’s vital resources.

Hanson suggests that the government’s handling of natural resources is driving a wedge between them and voters, particularly those in regional districts. This disenchantment could pave the way for One Nation to make significant inroads, especially in electorates like Farrer, where the competition is heating up. Here, the opportunity to address voter fatigue might just be the party’s chance to shine.

She said the government’s mismanagement of resources was pushing voters away, particularly in regional areas.

The hot contest for Farrer may be One Nation’s golden opportunity to capitalise on this fatigue.

Farrer, made vacant by former opposition leader Sussan Ley, could become a neck-and-neck battle between One Nation candidate David Farley and Independent Michelle Milthorpe.

The Liberal Party has selected lawyer Raissa Butkowski to run for Ley’s open seat, while Labor has yet to field a candidate.

Water reform is a key pillar of One Nation candidate Farley’s campaign.

The former jackaroo, irrigation specialist and cotton farmer said he would prioritise “disciplined” water management if elected.

Denniss said “anger” about the federal government’s water management wasn’t quite enough for struggling farmers.

“Farmers know that climate change is real, and while they may share Pauline Hanson’s anger at the major parties, they know that anger won’t bring the river back to good health,” he explained.

Farley’s reputation could prove to be another barrier.

David Farley One Nation candidate for Farrah
One Nation candidate for Farrer David Farley. (Sydney Morning Herald)

Minor party Family First announced it would not preference One Nation this election due to “serious concerns about the conduct and record” of Farley.

Farley was accused of sharing erotic posts by OnlyFans creators on Instagram and criticised for previous comments he made about former prime minister Julia Gillard, likening her to an “old cow”.

Farley said at the time that his remarks about Gillard were “tongue-in-cheek” and had been taken out of context.

“Politics should be about lifting standards, not lowering them. The character of candidates matters,” Family First national director Lyle Shelton said.

“Comments previously attributed to Mr Farley about former prime minister Julia Gillard were offensive and demeaning – not just to her, but to all women.

“This points to a deeper problem.”

Denniss said he had “no doubt” Family First’s decision to disendorse a One Nation candidate could impact Farley’s chances at attracting voters away from the LNP and independents.

Farrer’s election result is dependent on complicated preference flows.

“But ultimately it’s important for each voter to understand that it is the individual with the pencil in their hand that decides where their preferences go, not any political party,” he told Nine.com.au.

David Farley One Nation candidate for Farrah with Barnaby Joyce
Farley pictured with former Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce. (Sydney Morning Herald)

The issue of Australia’s gas exports is just as crucial as the Basin for the farming communities in the rural NSW seat.

More than 77 per cent of those surveyed agreed that Australia exports too much gas.

“What our polling makes clear is that a strong majority of all voters in Farrer, and an even stronger majority of One Nation voters, want Australia to get a fairer share of the profits from the enormous amount of gas we export,” Denniss said.

“I’m sure that for some voters the health of the Murray is a more pressing problem than the fact that Australia gives so much gas away for free, but the issues aren’t unrelated.”

A March poll conducted by The Australia Institute found Farley was narrowly leading Milthorpe on primary votes.

Of the 1000 Farrer voters surveyed, 28.7 per cent said One Nation would receive their first preference vote, ahead of the independents at 23.3 per cent and the LNP at 19.1 per cent.

Farley declined to comment when contacted by Nine.com.au.

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Revealed: The Reason Behind Melania Trump’s Statement on Epstein

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Revealed: The Reason Behind Melania Trump’s Statement on Epstein

The web is awash with misinformation regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities, and I’ve personally been caught in this net of falsehoods.

An unfamiliar woman accused me of having unprotected encounters with her in far-flung locations I’ve never even set foot in.

She later conceded that she might have confused me with another individual and subsequently withdrew her unfounded allegations. Despite this, the damage was done, as my reputation suffered greatly amidst those eager to believe salacious rumors about high-profile figures.

This context sheds light on First Lady Melania Trump’s unexpected press briefing on Thursday.

Known for her reluctance to engage with the media, Mrs. Trump likely wouldn’t address speculations about a connection to Epstein unless she aimed to dispel a false narrative preemptively.

Were such an accusation made – even if it were demonstrably and provably false, as I expect this one surely would be – many Trump haters would believe it, or – at least – pretend to believe it.

For my part, as I have written before, during my work representing Jeffrey Epstein I never came across any evidence implicating Donald Trump in any of his crimes. For the record, I will add that I never encountered any information tarnishing Melania Trump either.

But as Mark Twain said, ‘A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.’

Mrs Trump is famously media shy. It seems to me that she would never publicly address a rumored association with Epstein unless she did it to preempt an erroneous story accusing her of such a relationship, writes Alan Dershowitz

Mrs Trump is famously media shy. It seems to me that she would never publicly address a rumored association with Epstein unless she did it to preempt an erroneous story accusing her of such a relationship, writes Alan Dershowitz

There are so many false stories circulating about the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein. I know because I was the victim of one of them, says Alan Dershowitz

There are so many false stories circulating about the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein. I know because I was the victim of one of them, says Alan Dershowitz

Mrs Trump, I presume, decided to get out ahead of a potential story, by categorically denying any link to Epstein. I did not have the opportunity to do that, but if I had, I surely would have taken advantage of the tactic.

Indeed, Mrs Trump – as is her right – has aggressively pushed back against reporting what her lawyers have described as ‘malicious and defamatory falsehoods’, even threatening lawsuits against those who persist in publishing slanderous content.

The Daily Beast website retracted and apologized for a story that they published last year. Author Michael Wolff claims he’s been warned to watch his step by Mrs Trump’s lawyers.

But, perhaps, it hasn’t been enough.

‘The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,’ the First Lady declared on Thursday. ‘To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, [Ghislaine] Maxwell… I am not Epstein’s victim. Epstein did not introduce me to Donald Trump.’

It seems to me that Mrs Trump and her legal counsel are setting the stage for potential legal action. The US legal system sets a high bar for proving defamation against a public figure. The right to free speech is a pillar of a functioning democracy, but the right should not be used as cover for deliberate defamation.

Mrs Trump’s definitive public statement could conceivably make it easier for her to argue that any individual publishing provably false information to a third party did so with malice, a key element of a successful defamation case. Additionally, such a seemingly sincere and frankly brave public address may influence potential jurors in a trial.

Of course, we may not learn whether any such slanderous accusation was in the works. Mrs Trump’s preemptive strike may work, but I doubt it. In our current media age, someone, somewhere, somehow is likely to leak a false story.

Hopefully, it will be less believable considering her categorical denial. And not just for the sake of the First Lady. For there are, of course, real victims – and the scurrilous pedalling of rumors does them no good service.

During my work representing Jeffrey Epstein I never came across any evidence implicating Donald Trump in any of his crimes. For the record, I will add that I never encountered any information tarnishing Melania Trump either

During my work representing Jeffrey Epstein I never came across any evidence implicating Donald Trump in any of his crimes. For the record, I will add that I never encountered any information tarnishing Melania Trump either

I hope that Melania Trump gets what she asked for in that news conference: an end to lies. But, what’s more, she called on Congress to ‘provide the women who have been victimized by Epstein with a public hearing’.

All the alleged Epstein victims should tell their stories under oath, so that their claims can be heard and investigated.

I’m glad Melania Trump came forward. Her personal denial, coupled with her demand for sworn testimony by alleged survivors, may be an important step toward the truth.

Epstein’s true victims should be assured justice and compensation. False victims – those who never met Epstein and those who helped him recruit other females – should be exposed. And those trading in falsehoods should be held to account.

Alan Dershowitz is author ‘Could President Trump Constitutionally Serve a Third Term?’

Taylor Frankie Paul Opens Up About Emotional Court Decision Favoring Ex Dakota Mortensen in Custody Battle

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Taylor Frankie Paul Opens Up About Emotional Court Decision Favoring Ex Dakota Mortensen in Custody Battle


Taylor Frankie Paul, known for her role in “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters following a challenging custody decision in court.

Taking to Instagram late Thursday, Paul shared, “I just want to express my deepest THANK YOU to everyone who has helped uplift me.” The message resonated with her followers as she opened up about the support she has received.

The 31-year-old MomTok influencer continued by acknowledging various forms of kindness that have been instrumental during this difficult period. “I am filled with gratitude for the thoughtful gestures from different individuals at different times. Every message, meal, gift, call, prayer, and act of support has been invaluable,” she wrote.

In closing her heartfelt post, Paul reflected on the profound impact of such support. “There is a human aspect to all of this, and it becomes almost miraculous when viewed from a broader perspective,” she noted, adding a prayer emoji for emphasis.

She accompanied her message with a series of social media images, beginning with a tearful selfie, where she contemplated the remarkable nature of receiving exactly what she needed through the kindness of others.

The “Bachelorette” alum went on to share photos of items she received from loved ones, beginning with a book meant to grant “peace and comfort.”

Other gifts included pain relief patches, Starbucks drinks, a bouquet of flowers and more.

The upload came two days after Paul was granted only supervised visitation with her and ex Dakota Mortensen’s 2-year-old son, Ever, in their latest temporary custody arrangement.

A judge ruled Tuesday that Paul, who formerly had custody of the toddler 70 percent of the time, is allowed to see the little one for up to six hours per week until the next court hearing on April 30.

The judge expressed “concern” over Paul’s “volatility,” agreeing with Mortensen’s lawyers that she is “completely out of control” and “reckless.”

Paul’s lawyer, meanwhile, claimed she posed “no risk” to Ever as long as the on-again, off-again couple “stay[s] apart” where Mortensen can’t “push her buttons.”

An attorney on behalf of Ever, however, agreed that Paul’s “lack of total self-control” is of concern.

Mortensen, 33, has had temporary custody of Ever since March when he filed a protective order against Paul.

Paul, who also shares two children with ex-husband Tate Paul, filed a protective order of her own Tuesday, claiming Mortensen “kick[ed] her while she was on the floor,” “slamm[ed] her head against the dashboard of his truck” and more in various alleged incidents.

Taylor and Mortensen’s tumultuous romance has been on and off since 2022 and documented on “SLOMW” — which halted filming as the duo are being investigated for alleged domestic violence incidents in February.

The cast members have since reportedly had a change of heart and are set to get back in front of cameras “in a matter of weeks.”

As for Taylor’s “Bachelorette” season, which was canceled amid the drama, we hear there’s a chance ABC may still air it.

Taylor called the scandal “hell on Earth” in a vulnerable Instagram post last week, writing, “Through every panic attack I prayed for strength as I could feel my body breaking down and out from the distress of it all.”

Find Out If You’re Eligible for a Share of the $135 Million Settlement for Android Users

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Find Out If You’re Eligible for a Share of the $135 Million Settlement for Android Users


If you’ve been using an Android device since 2017, you might be eligible for a share of a $135 million class action settlement. This settlement arises from a legal dispute involving Google, which is accused of collecting various types of information from Android devices without user permission, thereby using up cellular data.

While Google has not admitted to any wrongdoing, the company has agreed to the settlement. Previously, a lawsuit that involved only California residents concluded with a $350 million settlement.

Some affected individuals have reported receiving notifications via email—sometimes ending up in spam folders—informing them of their eligibility for the settlement.

According to the settlement administrators, to be eligible, you must have been a U.S. resident who used an Android device with a cellular plan from a mobile carrier at any point since November 12, 2017. Those who were part of the California-only settlement, however, are not eligible for this current settlement.

To qualify, settlement administrators say you must be a U.S. resident who used an Android mobile device with a cellular data plan from a mobile carrier at any time since November 12, 2017. You do not qualify if you were among the class members of the aforementioned California settlement.

It’s estimated that there are 100 million people who may qualify for this settlement, which still requires court approval. According to the settlement site, administrators aim to pay each qualifying member the same amount from the $135 million fund.

That could work out to slightly more than $1 per claimant, since the settlement fund is also used for notice and administration costs, taxes, and other fees approved by the court. Should there be any leftover funds, the administrators say they would send payments to members who were previously paid, up to $100 per person.

To receive payment, you’ll need to use the notice ID and confirmation code you received via email to complete a payment election form online. If you fail to select your preferred payment method, administrators say they will still attempt to send you a payment, “but you run the risk of not receiving a payment … if those attempts are unsuccessful.”

If you would like not to receive a payment, you can opt out. You have until May 29 to do so.

A final approval hearing in this case is set for June 23.

Wong Expresses Concerns Over Hormuz, Urges Israel and Hezbollah to Uphold Ceasefire Agreement

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In Brief

  • Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called on Israel and Hezbollah to respect the ceasefire.
  • It comes after Israel said it carried out its largest wave of strikes on Lebanon since the war began.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has urged an immediate halt to Israeli military actions in Lebanon, expressing concern that the continued conflict endangers a “fragile” ceasefire between Iran and the United States, as well as the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Wong’s remarks followed an announcement from Israel regarding its most extensive assault on Lebanon since the conflict began, which, according to the Lebanese health ministry, resulted in the deaths of at least 250 people.

This escalation occurred shortly after Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire with both the US and Israel, aimed at facilitating the resumption of oil trade through the strait.

While Iran maintains that Lebanon was included in this ceasefire agreement, the US and Israel have stated that Lebanon was not part of the deal.

On Thursday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that Israel would persist in targeting Hezbollah with “force, precision, and determination,” following the reported killing of senior official Ali Yusuf Harshi in Beirut.

“Whoever acts against Israeli civilians — will be struck. We will continue to strike Hezbollah wherever required, until we restore full security to the residents of the north,” he posted on X.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia “firmly believes” Lebanon should be included in the ceasefire.

“We want to see peace in this region and it will make a difference and I know that many Australians are concerned about the events that are occurring in Lebanon,” he said in a press conference on Thursday morning.

The latest attacks have prompted fears that the strait may now be closed again in response to the strikes. The ABC is reporting that despite the ceasefire, shipping in the strait remains largely at a standstill. It said a very small number of ships had gone through the strait.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the US had violated three clauses of the ceasefire agreement, including by attacking Lebanon, while foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said: “the ball is in the US court”.

Wong said the ceasefire was “fragile” and called for Israel and Hezbollah to respect it, while also emphasising the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

“The ceasefire is fragile, but the world needs it to hold,” Wong told ABC News Breakfast on Thursday morning.

“In relation to Lebanon, we’ve said the ceasefire should be respected by both Israel and Hezbollah. There is a risk that continued conflict in Lebanon will risk the ceasefire itself across the region.

“We want to see the Strait of Hormuz open so that Australians and the world can see lower prices for fuel.”

In a joint statement with the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Jordan, Brazil, Colombia and Sierra Leone, Wong called for an urgent end to the fighting, describing the overnight attacks as “deeply concerning”.

Wong doesn’t have ‘confidence’ Strait of Hormuz is open

However, Wong repeatedly sidestepped questions about whether the strait was currently open or closed on Thursday morning.

When asked directly on Channel Nine’s Today Show, she said there were “conflicting reports” and “commercial shipping needs the confidence for it to be open for them to go through”.

At a subsequent doorstop interview, she again declined to give a clear answer, saying the “situation is still very fluid”.

“What I would say is that what commercial shipping needs is confidence, and as yet, we don’t have that confidence. We want that confidence. We want the Strait open so fuel can flow.”

It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese travels to Singapore on Thursday — one of Australia’s largest fuel suppliers — to meet with the country’s prime minister and discuss fuel supplies.

Opposition says Trump threats were meant to ‘de-escalate’

Opposition defence spokesperson James Paterson said Donald Trump’s warning that a “whole civilisation will die” unless the strait was reopened was ultimately aimed at ending the conflict.

“Speaking about it analytically and dispassionately, it’s clear that the US president has been threatening to escalate in order to de-escalate. And it may be the reason that there is a ceasefire agreement, although a very shaky one,” Paterson told ABC Radio National.

Paterson said he was “reluctant” to accept Iran’s claim that Lebanon was covered by the ceasefire deal, noting that Iran had “sponsored terrorist attacks on Australian soil”.

— With additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.

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Artemis II’s Epic Moon Mission Nears Completion: NASA’s Historic Pacific Splashdown Marks a New Era in Lunar Exploration

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Artemis II’s Epic Moon Mission Nears Completion: NASA’s Historic Pacific Splashdown Marks a New Era in Lunar Exploration


HOUSTON (AP) — As Artemis II’s astronauts prepared for their dramatic conclusion, they set their sights on a Pacific splashdown scheduled for Friday, marking humanity’s return journey to the moon after more than 50 years.

Anticipation built within Mission Control as the distance between the quartet of astronauts and Earth dwindled.

The focal point was the capsule’s heat shield, crucial for surviving the extreme temperatures of reentry. During the spacecraft’s prior test flight in 2022, conducted without a crew, the shield returned with a surface as cratered as the lunar landscape.

Commander Reid Wiseman, alongside pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, prepared to reenter Earth’s atmosphere at Mach 32—32 times the speed of sound—a velocity not experienced since NASA’s Apollo missions of the 1960s and 70s.

They planned to rely on the Orion capsule, named Integrity, which is designed to operate autonomously, with manual intervention reserved for emergencies.

Like so many others, lead flight director Jeff Radigan anticipated feeling some of that “irrational fear that is human nature,” especially during the six minutes of communication blackout preceding the opening of the parachutes. The recovery ship USS John P. Murtha awaited the crew’s arrival, along with a squadron of military planes and helicopters.

The last time NASA and the Defense Department teamed up for a lunar crew’s reentry was Apollo 17 in 1972. Artemis II was projected to come screaming back at 34,965 feet (10,657 meters) per second — or 23,840 mph (38,367 kph) — not a record but still mind-bogglingly fast before slowing to a 19 mph (30 kph) splashdown.

Artemis II’s record flyby and lunar views

Launched from Florida on April 1, the astronauts racked up one win after another as they deftly navigated NASA’s long-awaited lunar comeback, the first major step in establishing a sustainable moon base.

Artemis II didn’t land on the moon or even orbit it. But it broke Apollo 13’s distance record, making Wiseman and his crew the farthest that humans have ever journeyed from Earth when they reached 252,756 miles (406,771 kilometers). Then in the mission’s most heart-tugging scene, the teary astronauts asked permission to name a pair of craters after their moonship and Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.

During the record-breaking flyby, they documented scenes of the lunar far side never seen before by the naked eye and savored a total solar eclipse courtesy of the cosmos thanks to their launch date. The eclipse, in particular, “just blew all of us away,” Glover said.

Their sense of wonder and love awed everyone, as did their breathtaking pictures of the moon and Earth. The Artemis II crew channeled Apollo 8’s first lunar explorers with Earthset, showing our blue marble setting behind the gray moon. It was reminiscent of Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise shot from 1968.

“It just makes you want to continue to go back,” Radigan said on the eve of splashdown. “It’s the first of many trips and we just need to continue on because there’s so much” more to learn about the moon.

Their moonshot drew global attention as well as star power, earning props from President Donald Trump; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; Britain’s King Charles III; Ryan Gosling, star of the latest space flick “Project Hail Mary;” Scarlett Johansson of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; and even Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner of TV’s original “Star Trek.”

Artemis II was a test flight for future moon missions

Despite its rich scientific yield, the nearly 10-day flight was not without technical issues. Both the capsule’s drinking water and propellant systems were hit with valve problems. In perhaps the most high-profile predicament, toilet trouble prevented the crew from using it for No. 1 most of the trip, forcing them to resort to old-time bags and funnels.

The astronauts shrugged it all off.

“We can’t explore deeper unless we are doing a few things that are inconvenient,” Koch said, “unless we’re making a few sacrifices, unless we’re taking a few risks, and those things are all worth it.”

Added Hansen: “You do a lot of testing on the ground, but your final test is when you get this hardware to space and it’s a doozy.”

Under the revamped Artemis program, next year’s Artemis III will see astronauts practice docking their capsule with a lunar lander or two in orbit around Earth. Artemis IV will attempt to land a crew of two near the moon’s south pole in 2028.

The Artemis II crew’s allegiance was to those next Artemis crews, Wiseman said.

“But we really hoped in our soul is that we could for just for a moment have the world pause and remember that this is a beautiful planet and a very special place in our universe, and we should all cherish what we have been gifted,” he said.

___

Unlock the Secrets of ‘Life’s Still Unfair’ on Hulu: Must-Watch Series & More Streaming Gems!

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Unlock the Secrets of ‘Life’s Still Unfair’ on Hulu: Must-Watch Series & More Streaming Gems!

This week is a thrilling time for television enthusiasts. HBO Max is rolling out new seasons of the acclaimed series Hacks and Euphoria. Meanwhile, Hulu introduces a fresh take on the classic Malcolm in the Middle, and Peacock debuts the limited series The Miniature Wife. Additionally, Netflix enthusiasts can dive into Thrash, a compelling natural disaster and monster film, while Apple TV features Keanu Reeves in the riveting film, Outcome.

If you’re uncertain about what to stream amid the plethora of new releases, let Decider guide you in selecting the perfect weekend watch.

New Movies & Shows To Stream This Weekend: Euphoria, The Miniature Wife, Thrash, Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair + More

The weekend lineup is packed with both beloved series returns and exciting new content across various platforms. On HBO Max, catch the season premieres of Euphoria on April 12 and Hacks on April 9. Netflix offers the heart-pounding thriller Thrash, alongside the second season of Temptation Island and a live stream of the Fury vs. Makhmudov boxing match on Friday. For binge-watchers, Peacock presents the entire season of The Miniature Wife, whereas Hulu offers four fresh episodes of Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair.

New on HBO Max April 12: Euphoria (Season 3)

After a four-year hiatus, Euphoria returns to explore the lives of East Highland’s students, now four years older. Season three delves into the challenges of adulthood faced by Rue (Zendaya), Lexi (Maude Apatow), Cassie (Sydney Sweeney), and their peers. Although some familiar faces like Barbie Ferreira and Javon “Wanna” Walton won’t be returning, the new season will feature guest appearances by stars such as Rosalía, Marshawn Lynch, Sharon Stone, and Natasha Lyonne.

Thrash, a Netflix thriller starring Phoebe Dynevor, Whitney Peak, and Djimon Hounsou, initially appears as a disaster film about a town inundated by a severe storm. However, the plot thickens when sharks emerge amidst the floodwaters. This gripping movie is now available to stream on Netflix.

It’s been four years since we last caught up with the students from East Highland in Euphoria, and a lot has changed. Season three of the HBO show picks up four years into the future with Rue (Zendaya), Lexi (Maude Apatow), Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and the rest of their former classmates navigating adulthood anxieties. The new season some cast members including Barbie Ferreira and Javon “Wanna” Walton, are not returning, but a laundry list of guest stars, including Rosalía, Marshawn Lynch, Sharon Stone and Natasha Lyonne, will appear.

New on Netflix April 10: Thrash

Phoebe Dynevor, Whitney Peak and Djimon Hounsou star in the new Netflix thriller Thrash, and while you might mistake it for a disaster movie about a town that floods after a torrential storm, just wait until the sharks show up in the floodwaters. The movie is out now on Netflix.

Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen star in Peacock’s The Miniature Wife, a limited series based on the short story by Manuel Gonzales. The comedy, about a scientist who accidentally shrinks his wife down to 6 inches tall, consists of ten episodes which are all out now. Zoe Lister-Jones, Ronny Chieng and O-T Fagbenle co-star.

Full List of New Movies and Shows on Streaming This Weekend:

The options above only scratch the surface, so you know that this weekend’s full lineup will have amazing options for what to watch this weekend! For the full breakdown of the best movies and shows to stream now, or if you’re still undecided on what to stream this weekend, then check out the complete list below:

New on Netflix – Full List

Released Thursday, April 9

18th Rose (PH) *NETFLIX FILM

Bandi (FR) *NETFLIX SERIES

Big Mistakes *NETFLIX SERIES

IF

Released Friday, April 10

Scream (2022)

Temptation Island: Season 2 *NETFLIX SERIES

Thrash *NETFLIX FILM

Turn of the Tide: Season 3 (PT) *NETFLIX SERIES

Released Saturday, April 11

A Quiet Place Part II

Tyson Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov (GB) *NETFLIX LIVE EVENT

Released Sunday, April 12

At Home With The Furys: Season 2 (GB) *NETFLIX SERIES

New on Prime Video – Full List

Released Thursday, April 9

NBA on Prime (2026) *Prime Video Live Sports

The Masters on Prime (2026) *Prime Video Live Sports

Released Friday, April 10

NBA on Prime (2026) *Prime Video Live Sports

The Masters on Prime (2026) *Prime Video Live Sports

Released Saturday, April 11

Fist Of The North Star: S1 (2026) *Prime Video Original Series

Released Sunday, April 12

The Zone of Interest (2024)

New on Hulu – Full List

Released Thursday, April 9

Married at First Sight: Complete Season 7

Pets on a Train (2025)

Secrets of Celebrity Sex Tapes: Complete Season 1

The Floor: Season 5 Premiere (Fox)

WWE LFG: Complete Season 2

Released Friday, April 10

Finnick (2022)

Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair: Complete Season 1 *Hulu Original

Perfect Crown: Series Premiere *Hulu Original

New on HBO Max – Full List

Released Thursday, April 9

Hacks, Season 5 (Max Original)

The World’s Tallest Man, Season 1 (HGTV) 

Released Friday, April 10

Artemis II: To the Moon and Back (Discovery)

Christy

House Hunters International: Volume 9, Season 208 (HGTV) 

Released Sunday, April 12

Be My Guest with Ina Garten, Season 7 (Food Network)

Building Back America’s Trades, Season 1 (Magnolia Network)

Euphoria, Season 3 (HBO Original) 

New on Disney+ – Full List

Released Friday, April 10

RoboGobo (Season 2)

Perfect Crown

Released Saturday, April 11

Locker Diaries: ZOMBIES: Shorts

Perfect Crown

New on Apple TV – Full List

Released Friday, April 10

Outcome

New on Starz – Full List

Released Friday, April 10

Outlander, Season 8 Episode 6

New on Peacock – Full List

Released Thursday, April 9

The Miniature Wife (All Episodes)

Released Friday, April 10

If I Can’t Have You (Premiere)

Released Sunday, April 12

Philly Homicide

What Else Is Streaming New This April 2026?

What you see above is just a portion of the new movies and shows you can watch this month if you’ve got more than one streaming service subscription. We update our guides to the new releases on the most popular streaming platforms every month, so you can stay on top of the freshest titles to watch. Here are full lists, schedules, and reviews for everything streaming:

Liz Kocan is a pop culture writer living in Massachusetts. Her biggest claim to fame is the time she won on the game show Chain Reaction.

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Illinois Celebrates Its Historical Contributions as America Approaches 250th Anniversary

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Illinois Celebrates Its Historical Contributions as America Approaches 250th Anniversary

CHICAGO (WLS) — As the nation gears up to commemorate its 250th anniversary, ABC7 Chicago is delving into the significant role Illinois has played in shaping America.

From the vibrant South Side of Chicago to its storied neighborhoods, Illinois has long stood as a cultural crossroads. The introduction of the Illinois America 250 Passport is reigniting interest in visiting the pivotal sites that contributed to the nation’s development. Jasmine Minor guides us through some of these notable locations.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Our journey begins at Pullman National Historical Park, a place where innovation met social change. The luxury railcars constructed here revolutionized travel, but it was the workforce that left a lasting mark on American history.

“By the early 20th century, Pullman cars could take you from Florida to Vancouver,” Michael Shymanski explained. “What’s crucial is the high standard of service that was established.”

The Pullman Strike reverberated across the country, igniting discussions on labor rights that persist to this day. Even now, an 89-year-old former Pullman worker fondly recalls his days on the job.

“At first, it was,” Alphonso Quiroz said. “It was hard. A little difficult because I didn’t have no experience working at cars. And as I worked with old timers, they would help me. They would tell me what kind of drill, press, wrench and things like that they used and how to measure different articles that fit in the car framework.”

Then we move into Pilsen, where the National Museum of Mexican Art exemplifies history through railroads as well. Especially with the Traqueros – a slang Spanish word for Mexican railroad workers.

“There was often many deaths, many injuries, because of this arduous job. And obviously the pay was very low,” Ismael Cuevas said.

Each exhibit reflects a community that helped build Chicago’s workforce, culture, and identity.

“But we besides that, the fortitude of our people still built communities, still built culture, religion, that is all part of the American dream,” Cuevas said. “And that we see that here in this exhibit.”

Next stop, the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum. This is where the focus shifts to people finding their footing in a new land.

“She came from money,” Liesl Olsen said. “She was, part of a whole new generation of college educated women who had ambitions and wanted to do something with their degree.”

Jane Addams created a blueprint for community care, proving that supporting immigrants strengthens the nation as a whole.

“There were so many initiatives that kind of valued, people in their full humanity, right?” Olsen said. “Not just as laborers. She was obviously a major voice in the, fight for women’s suffrage. She was one of, the co-founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. She had allies across the city she was working across.

And last stop for the first part of our series is the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. From Jean Baptiste Point du Sable to modern civil rights movements, the history in this museum underscores resilience.

These are just a few of the stops featured in the passport, designed by the Illinois America 250 Commission to get people to explore the landmarks that shaped our nation. So, check it out when you get some free time- because the story of the country isn’t just something you read about, it’s something you can walk through right here in Illinois.

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