We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
LOS ANGELES – Kanye West, now possibly returning to his iconic moniker, captivated a sold-out audience in Southern California with a concert aimed at marking his resurgence after years of stirring controversy. Among his supporters for this significant event was none other than musical legend Lauryn Hill.
Nearly a year after releasing the contentious track “Heil Hitler” and a couple of months following his public apology for antisemitic remarks, Ye allowed his extensive catalog of hits and the roar of 70,000 dedicated fans to convey his message loud and clear at SoFi Stadium on Friday night.
Addressing the lively crowd, Ye expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “Thank you all for standing by me through the tough and low moments. I love you for that.”
In a first-time collaboration, Hill joined Ye on stage to perform an electrifying version of his 2004 classic “All Falls Down,” originally featuring her sampled vocals. Hill then took center stage with performances of her tracks “Lost Ones” and “Doo Wop (That Thing),” before Ye returned to perform “Believe What I Say,” which samples “Doo Wop.” They shared a warm embrace as Hill departed.
The concert also featured appearances by Travis Scott, CeeLo Green, and Ye’s young daughter North West, who all took to the sky with Ye, secured in safety harnesses, atop a striking half-orb stage. Throughout the over two-hour show, this stage transformed into various celestial visuals, depicting a moon, a rotating Earth, and a smoking sphere, captivating both the live and online audiences.
A loud singalong of “Heartless” midway through the more than 40-song Good Friday show seemed to boost Ye’s spirits: “That’s what 80,000 people sound like, ladies and gentlemen. … They said I’d never be back in the States. Two sold-out concerts, baby!”
The first SoFi show Wednesday, his first major U.S. performance in nearly five years, turned out to be more of a warm-up as Ye was tentative in his rapping and drew attention to technical mishaps.
Fans at that show said they separated the 48-year-old performer’s personal beliefs and public statements from his music — and were ready to forgive after his January apology letter.
“You gotta back your family no matter what,” said Vince Da Prince, a rapper from Downey, Calif. “He’s a part of our fam since we were little kids.”
Added fan Yovani Contreras: “I don’t really bring into politics or the way someone’s personal opinion are. I’m into the music artistry … Like, I just, to me, Ye is always gonna be Ye. Kanye is always gonna be Kanye.”
Luis Velasquez said he’d been a longtime fan and had been put off by controversies in recent years, but felt the apology was sincere.
“Yeah he did apologize,” he said. “He’s taking the medication I think is what he mentioned. … For me as a fan that’s, like, respect, right? Like I think that’s cool enough to bridge that gap.”
Ye released his latest album, “Bully,” under both the names Ye and Kanye West, at the end of March. He dominated hip-hop and pop charts in the 2000s and early 2010s, winning 24 Grammy Awards despite public outbursts and a polarizing personality. He lost nearly all his major business partnerships and many fans after a string of controversies in the last several years including antisemitic remarks and social media posts.
He closed Friday night’s show with his “toast to the douchebags” hit “Runaway,” and walked out of the stadium behind his wife Bianca Censori and two of his children.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
In a remote village in Peru, the life of Marcelino Abad Tolentino, believed to be the oldest person in the world, has come to an end at the remarkable age of 125. Marcelino, endearingly known as Mashico, peacefully passed away in his sleep at a care facility on Monday, just days shy of what would have been his 126th birthday.
Born in 1900, Mashico’s life spanned an incredible era of history, making him not only the oldest man in Peru but potentially the oldest person globally. However, this extraordinary milestone remains unofficial, as the Guinness World Records has not recognized his age due to missing documentation.
With Mashico’s passing, Ethel Caterham from Lightwater, Surrey, now holds the official title of the oldest living person. Born in 1909, Ethel’s age stands at 116 years and 222 days, according to the records.
Despite the lack of formal acknowledgment, Mashico’s longevity and the life he lived serve as a testament to the endurance and resilience of the human spirit, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration and awe in his community and beyond.
It leaves Ethel Caterham, from Lightwater, Surrey, who was born in 1909, as the formal recordholder, at 116 years and 222 days.
She is also the oldest British person in recorded history and the last known surviving person to have been born in the 1900s decade.
Mr Tolentino, who was raised as an orphan, lived in his isolated rural hometown his whole life.
He lived in extreme poverty for much of that time, cultivating his land by hand and trading agricultural goods with other villagers.
Marcelino Abad Tolentino (pictured), who was from a remote village in Peru, sadly passed away in his sleep at a care home on Monday, just five days before his 126th birthday
The farmer (pictured), known as Mashico, was born in 1900, making him the oldest man in his country – and quite possibly the most elderly person in the world
But he has never been officially recognised with the title by Guinness World Records due to a lack of necessary documentation. It leaves Ethel Caterham (pictured), from Lightwater, Surrey, who was born in 1909, as the formal recordholder, at 116 years and 222 days
The farmer, who never had a family, lived alone, without electricity or running water and using only a small oil lamp for light.
Incredibly, Mr Tolentino was completely unknown to the authorities until the Covid-19 pandemic.
He was discovered when he began receiving support from the country’s Pension 65 programme, for those aged more than 65 who are in poverty with no pension.
The scheme saw him receive his first ID card and a state pension, which paid for him to move into a care home.
Shortly after, the centenarian suffered an accident that resulted in a serious hip injury and left him wheelchair bound.
In recent years, he became a nationally recognised figure for his incredible longevity.
Two years ago, the Peruvian government began the process of registering him as the world’s oldest man with Guinness World Records.
But the process sadly could not be completed, officials said, as he could not show the required documentation of his birth.
The oldest man who ever lived was Juan Vicente Perez Mora, from Venezuela, who died in April 2024 at the age of 114 and 311 days.
The most elderly man alive today is 113-year-old Brazilian Joao Marinho Neto, from Brazil.
He sent Ms Caterham a congratulatory message on her 116th birthday in August last year, as she was the first person in British history to reach this age.
This reportedly marked the first documented exchange between the world’s oldest verified woman and oldest verified man.
Michael B. Jordan’s recent Oscar triumph resonated on a personal level with his family, particularly his niece and nephew, who see him as nothing short of a hero.
To celebrate his win, the acclaimed actor teamed up with his sister, Jamila Jordan-Theus, and her children, Lenox and Zorah, for a special project. Together, they unveiled the trailer for his latest Netflix animated feature, Swapped.
In a delightful TikTok video posted on April 2, Michael is seen sitting casually on the grass next to Lenox. The young boy, beaming with a smile as vibrant as his sunny yellow shirt, cheerfully introduces him with, “Hi, this is my Uncle Mike!”
Following this charming introduction, Michael gently leaned over to encourage Zorah, prompting her to confidently deliver her line, “Hope you like it!”
After Uncle Mike introduced the preview, he leaned over to Zorah and helped her remember her line, “Hope you like it!”
All the while, the Black Panther star’s nephew continued smiling at the camera and, right before the toss to the trailer, waved with both hands and an even bigger smile.
While Michael—who also has a younger brother named Khalid Jordan—had fun working alongside his nephew for the fun clip, he previously detailed the stress of keeping the tiny tot safe when he was growing up.
VENICE, Fla. (WFLA) — A scuba diver and YouTuber from North Port had a harrowing experience last weekend while exploring the depths of the Gulf off Venice Beach. What started as a routine dive quickly turned dangerous for her.
Stephanie Holtey, the creator behind the Abyss Explorers channel, frequently ventures into the waters of Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties. Her dives, captured on video, showcase the intriguing finds she and her diving partner encounter.
Médecins Sans Frontières has warned that sexual abuse is being used as a weapon of war in Sudan.
Nearly 3,400 survivors of sexual violence were treated in its facilities in Darfur between January 2024 and November 2025.
Warning: This article discusses topics of sexual violence and assault.
In the ongoing conflict in Sudan, sexual violence is being weaponized, with women and girls recounting harrowing experiences of rape and torture as they flee towards safety.
A recent report from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, highlights the alarming prevalence of sexual violence against women and girls in the Darfur region.
The organization revealed that between January 2024 and November 2025, their facilities in North and South Darfur treated 3,396 individuals who had suffered from sexual violence.
MSF emphasized that the number of cases they handle is merely a small representation of the actual extent of the crisis.
Myriam Laroussi, MSF emergency coordinator, said the violence was not incidental and women’s bodies were being used as part of the war.
“We are now calling [on] all the warring parties to just stop. Stop using women’s bodies to fight this war,” she said.
Survivors in Darfur have described gang rape, rape at gunpoint and severe physical violence, often while trying to flee attacks or reach safety.
MSF reports women and girls made up 97 per cent of those treated in documented cases.
‘Crime against humanity’
MSF’s warning has been echoed by the United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk.
“I met nine women and girls, all of them survivors of sexual violence, and they told me horrific stories. I’ve never seen so traumatised individuals,” he said.
“What they told me was about a gang rape in Al-Fasher. When they tried to flee, they told me about the men being taken out and killed in front of them.”
The trauma that they have gone through is unspeakable.
“Sexual violence is used as a weapon of warfare. It’s a war crime, and it’s a crime against humanity,” Turk said.
The violence is not confined to sexual assaults.
The UN human rights office said drone warfare has intensified sharply this year, and that more than 500 civilians were killed in drone strikes between January and March.
Laroussi said attacks were near daily, and civilians were being hit in places that should be safe.
“We are talking about school, we are talking about health structure, we are talking about markets,” he said.
The humanitarian toll is immense.
Up to 14 million Sudanese have been displaced since the war began in April 2023, Laroussi said, with many forced to flee their homes more than once.
Many survivors have had to travel for days to reach care in Tawila, in North Darfur, with many arriving after fleeing El Fasher and other conflict zones.
‘Peak of the iceberg’
MSF midwife Gloria Endreo said many women only begin speaking once they were somewhere safe enough to do so.
“I happened to encounter so many cases of survivors coming to confide in me for what has happened to them during the time they flee from El Fasher to Uganda,” she said.
She said many women told her they had seen killings and brutality on the road to safety.
“A lot of them witnessed brutality, physical torture, psychological torture, gang rapes and raped under gunpoint,” she said.
“This takes a strong energy for one to stand up and say ‘ABCD has happened to me’, considering the community that they live in, it is a very conservative community, where talking about sexuality is considered as a taboo.”
MSF said many survivors arrive after the first 72 hours, which health workers consider the critical window for emergency care after rape, including treatment for injuries, prevention of infection and urgent medical support.
Sudan’s conflict began on 15 April 2023, when a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces erupted into fighting.
Since then, the war has spread far beyond Khartoum, devastating Darfur and other regions, and exposing civilians to ethnic violence, hunger, displacement and repeated attacks on homes, hospitals and markets.
MSF said the cases it has documented are only the visible portion of a much larger crisis.
“The data that we have are very focused on North Darfur and South Darfur. Now, the reality we know, is far bigger than that,” Laroussi said.
“[It is the] peak of the iceberg.”
International investigators are also examining what is happening in Darfur.
The International Criminal Court told the UN Security Council in January that it was undeniable that sexual violence was being committed.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Iran is increasingly enlisting children as young as 12 for military-related roles associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to recent findings from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
These reports highlight the growing pressure within Iran’s military efforts. With U.S. and Israeli strikes on the rise, experts and rights groups suggest that the recruitment of children signals a shortage of manpower and a heightened dependence on paramilitary forces to maintain domestic security. This move not only endangers minors but also risks Iran facing charges of war crimes due to the involvement of children in conflict.
According to Human Rights Watch, the IRGC has initiated a program named “Homeland Defending Combatants for Iran,” which has lowered the recruitment age to 12. This initiative actively encourages minors to join through mosques and the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary group aligned with the IRGC.
The roles assigned to these young recruits extend beyond support duties, encompassing tasks such as operational patrols, manning checkpoints, and intelligence activities. This exposure places children directly in the line of danger as hostilities escalate throughout the region.
The IRGC, recognized by the U.S. State Department as a foreign terrorist organization, primarily operates covertly outside of Iran. This development underscores the increasing challenges and complexities of the conflict, as well as the broader implications for international humanitarian law. (Reuters)
Amnesty International said the recruitment and deployment of children under 15 “constitutes a war crime,” and backed its findings with verified visual evidence and eyewitness accounts.
The organization analyzed 16 photos and videos published since Saturday, showing children carrying weapons, including AK-pattern rifles, and deployed alongside Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij forces at checkpoints, on patrols and during state-organized rallies in Iranian cities including Tehran, Mashhad and Kermanshah.
Amnesty also documented the fatal consequences. On Sunday, 11-year-old Alireza Jafari was killed at a checkpoint in Iran while accompanying his father, a Basij member, the group said. Authorities said he was killed “while serving” following an Israeli drone strike.
Iranian soldiers take part in a military parade during a ceremony marking the country’s annual army day on April 17, 2024, in Tehran, Iran.(Getty Images)
According to Amnesty, the boy’s mother told the Iranian newspaper Hamshahri that her husband had reported a shortage of personnel at checkpoints and took their two sons with him. She said he told their son he “must get prepared for the days ahead,” adding that children as young as 15 and 16 are commonly involved in checkpoint duties.
Eyewitness accounts reviewed by Amnesty describe children visibly struggling to handle weapons. One person in Tehran wrote: “I saw a child at a checkpoint near our house … I think he was about 15… It seemed like he was struggling to breathe from the effort of lifting the gun.”
Another witness in Karaj, Iran, reported seeing a child “holding a Kalashnikov rifle,” while a third in Rasht said some appeared to be “13 years old at most,” warning they could “fire randomly.”
Children wave Iranian flags during a ceremony celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, at the Azadi, Freedom, Square in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019.
In one video cited by Amnesty, filmed March 30 in Mashhad, Iran, two children wearing Basij uniforms and balaclavas were seen carrying assault rifles while positioned on a moving vehicle during a state-organized rally, elevated above a cheering crowd.
The recruitment campaign itself has been promoted through official channels, including posters depicting children alongside armed adults under the slogan “Basij with people, for people,” accompanied by a quote attributed to Iran’s Supreme Leader calling for Basij forces to remain central to the revolution.
Iranian officials have defended the policy by pointing to what they describe as strong demand among teenagers.
In a televised interview with Iranian state media, IRGC official Rahim Nadali said the minimum age was set at 12 because “teenagers and the youth repeatedly have come and said that they want to take part.”
“There is no excuse for a military recruitment drive that targets children to sign up, much less 12-year-olds,” Human Rights Watch’s Bill Van Esveld said.
Iranian schoolboys wear Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military uniforms and shout anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli slogans during a ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution at the shrine of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in southern Tehran, Iran, on Feb. 1, 2026.(Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The reports come as the United Nations classifies the recruitment of children in armed conflict as a “grave violation,” with international law prohibiting the enlistment of children under 15 and setting 18 as the standard for participation in hostilities.
Both organizations called on Iranian authorities to immediately halt the recruitment of minors and release those already serving.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations declined Fox News Digital’s comment request.
Efrat Lachter is a foreign correspondent for Fox News Digital covering international affairs and the United Nations. Follow her on X @efratlachter. Stories can be sent to efrat.lachter@fox.com.
April is set to be a magical month for Disney+ subscribers, as the platform unveils a delightful mix of movies and shows, both new and familiar. Among the anticipated premieres are Disney+ Originals such as O11CE: New Generation and Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, promising to captivate audiences of all ages.
For those pondering what to stream, Disney+ offers a treasure trove of entertainment that ranges from nostalgic favorites to uplifting new adventures. Whether you’re in need of a mood booster or just seeking some light-hearted fun, Disney+ has curated a selection that caters to every mood and preference, delivering joy right to your screens.
Disney+April 2026Highlights
Disney+ continually evolves beyond its repository of timeless classics by introducing vibrant new original series and films. This April, several standout titles are making their debut, offering fresh narratives to enjoy. Here are two of the most exciting new releases to watch out for:
O11CE: New Generation: New Episodes (Released April 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29) *Disney+ Original
Building on the success of the 2017-2019 Argentinian telenovela O11CE (also known as Disney 11), O11CE: New Generation continues the story with a mix of familiar and new characters. Starring Mariano González-Guerineau, Juan David Penagos, and Luan Brum Lima, the series follows Gabo (González-Guerineau), Ricky (Penagos), and Dedé (Lima) as they return to the Academic Sports Institute after six years in professional soccer. They find their beloved team lacking the fiery spirit it once had. United in the mission to rekindle the team’s enthusiasm, the trio takes on the challenge of mentoring and leading the new batch of Golden Hawks.
Catch the premiere of O11CE: New Generation on Disney+ starting April 1st.
This follow-up to the 2017-2019 Argentinian youth sports telenovela O11CE (aka Disney 11) continues the original tale while introducing fresh faces alongside returning stars Mariano González-Guerineau, Juan David Penagos, and Luan Brum Lima. O11CE: New Generation follows Gabo (González-Guerineau), Ricky (Penagos), and Dedé (Lima) as they return to their old stomping grounds at the Academic Sports Institute after six years of professional soccer, only to find that their team has lost the passion for the game that they used to burn with. Determined to restore the squad to its former glory, the trio stays to help to inspire, train, and lead the next generation of Golden Hawks.
Stream O11CE: New Generation on disney+ on april 1
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord: Episodes 1-8 (Released April 6, 13, 20, and 27) *Disney+ Original
This April, look forward to the first eight episodes of this highly anticipated new addition to the Star Wars franchise streaming exclusively on Disney+. Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is an animated sci-fi adventure series set after the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and revolving around former Sith lord Maul (Sam Witwer) as he works to rebuild his criminal syndicate in the wake of the Clone Wars. When Maul crosses paths with jaded young Jedi Devon Izara (Gideon Adlon), Maul finds in her a potential apprentice worthy of joining him on his quest for revenge.
Stream Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord on disney+ on april 6
Disney+ Release Schedule for April 2026 — Full List
Wondering what else you’ll be able to watch on Disney+ this month? Here’s the full list of new movies and shows coming out on Disney+ streaming in April 2026:
Donna Hay Coastal Celebrations (Disney+ Original) – Premiere – All Episodes Streaming
O11CE: New Generation (Disney+ Original) – New Episodes
Secrets of the Bees – Premiere – All Episodes Streaming
Released April 4
Locker Diaries: ZOMBIES: Shorts – New Episode
Released April 5
Inside Out Classic – the real-time, animated NHL game: Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers (Disney+, ESPN+) – Live at 7 pm ET
Released April 6
American Idol (Season 9) (ABC) – Streaming live at 8/7c
In Your Radiant Season (Hulu Original) – Season Finale
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord (Disney+ Original) – Two-Episode Premiere
Released April 7
Daredevil: Born Again (Season 2) (Disney+ Original) – New Episode at 6 pm PT
Released April 8
Hey A.J.! – New Episodes
How Not to Draw: Shorts (Season 5) – New Episode
O11CE: New Generation (Disney+ Original) – New Episodes
Released April 10
Perfect Crown (Hulu Original) – Premiere
RoboGobo (Season 2) – New Episodes
Released April 11
Locker Diaries: ZOMBIES: Shorts – New Episode
Perfect Crown (Hulu Original) – New Episode
Released April 13
American Idol (Season 9) (ABC) – Streaming live at 8/7c
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord (Disney+ Original) – New Episodes
Released April 14
Daredevil: Born Again (Season 2) (Disney+ Original) – New Episode at 6 pm PT
Meet Iron Man and his Awesome Friends (Season 1) – New Episodes
Released April 15
O11CE: New Generation (Disney+ Original) – New Episodes
Released April 17
Little Margo Stories: Shorts – Premiere
Perfect Crown (Hulu Original) – New Episode
Released April 18
Locker Diaries: ZOMBIES: Shorts – New Episode
Perfect Crown (Hulu Original) – New Episode
Released April 20
American Idol (Season 9) (ABC) – Streaming live at 8/7c
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord (Disney+ Original) – New Episodes
Released April 21
Daredevil: Born Again (Season 2) (Disney+ Original) – New Episode at 6 pm PT
Released April 22
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+ – New Episodes
O11CE: New Generation (Disney+ Original) – New Episodes
Orangutan (Disney+ Original) – Premiere
Released April 24
Perfect Crown (Hulu Original) – New Episode
The Prep School Disappearance
Released April 25
Banana Ball: Party Animals vs. Bananas (ESPN Unlimited, Disney+) – Live at 7 pm ET
Perfect Crown (Hulu Original) – New Episode
Released April 27
American Idol (Season 9) (ABC) – Streaming live at 8/7c
Disney Animation’s Songs in Sign Language (Disney+ Original) – Premiere
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord (Disney+ Original) – New Episodes
Released April 28
Daredevil: Born Again (Season 2) (Disney+ Original) – New Episode at 6 pm PT
Released April 29
O11CE: New Generation (Disney+ Original) – New Episodes
SuperKitties (Season 3) – New Episodes
Released April 30
Project Runway All Stars (Seasons 5-7)
Companion Video Podcasts
American Idol Official Podcast (New episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays, following the live show on Mondays)
Daredevil: Born Again Official Podcast (New episodes drop weekly on Tuesdays, timed to the release of each new series episode)
Streams
A new Stream launches this month, offering Premium subscribers carefully curated, continuous programming:
Animated Classics Collection (Launches April 29)
Hannah Montana Series and Movie Collection (Now Streaming)
Ice Age Franchise Collection (Launches April 1)
Malcolm in the Middle: Seasons 1-7 (Now Streaming)
Once Upon a Time: Seasons 1-7 (Launches April 23)
How To Watch Disney+
Disney+ offers a number of subscription options, so you can find the one that works for you. With ads, a subscription costs $10.99/month; without ads, it’s $18.99/month or $189.99/year.
There are also Disney+ bundles with Hulu, HBO Max, and ESPN+, so you can subscribe to up to three services at once and save over 40% every month. The bundles are available in a few different configurations, starting at $12.99/month for Disney+ and Hulu with ads, and going up to $32.99/month for Disney+, Hulu, and Max ad-free.
What Else Is Streaming New This April 2026?
What’s new on Disney+ is just a fraction of everything streaming new this month. And you might have access to more than one streaming library. If that’s the case, then you’ll be able to watch even more new movies and shows this month, and we’ve got a guide to the new releases for all of the most popular streaming services. Plus, we update all of them monthly so you can stay on top of all the freshest content each platform has to offer:
At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Artemis II astronauts have shared stunning views of Earth as they journey closer to their lunar goal.
NASA unveiled the first set of images from the crew on Friday, marking 36 hours into the most significant crewed lunar mission since the Apollo era.
In a photograph captured by mission commander Reid Wiseman, Earth’s curvature is elegantly framed within one of the capsule’s windows. Another image offers a full view of the planet, where the vast oceans are adorned with wispy white cloud formations, and a luminescent green aurora graces the scene, as noted by NASA.
“It’s incredible to consider that aside from our four intrepid explorers, all of humanity is captured in this photograph,” expressed NASA’s Lakiesha Hawkins, who oversees exploration systems. She confirmed the mission’s progress was on track.
By late Friday, Wiseman and his fellow astronauts had traveled over 110,000 miles (180,000 kilometers) from Earth, swiftly closing the distance to the moon with about 150,000 miles (240,000 kilometers) remaining. Their lunar rendezvous is anticipated for Monday.
The three Americans and one Canadian will swing around the moon in their Orion capsule, hang a U-turn and then head straight back home without stopping. They fired Orion’s main engine Thursday night that set them on their course.
After Mission Control shifted the position of their capsule, the entire Earth complete with northern lights filled their windows.
“It was the most spectacular moment, and it paused all four of us in our tracks,” Wiseman said in a TV interview.
They’re the first lunar travelers since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Households already facing financial difficulties may soon encounter another hurdle, as food prices are projected to surge in the upcoming weeks.
Retailers are now having to pass on the massive costs they’ve been absorbing, in the weeks since the Middle East war began.
Essential grocery items are anticipated to become more expensive due to the ongoing fuel crisis, which is impacting distribution costs.
Meat, fruit and vegetables are all expected to cost 20 per cent more and in as little as three weeks. (9News)
Ritchies, an independent supermarket chain, is among the first to raise concerns about the impending price hikes.
Consumers can expect the cost of meat, fruits, and vegetables to climb by as much as 20 percent, potentially within a mere three weeks.
Leaders from NSW Farmers have indicated that their members are already feeling the strain of these escalating costs.
“Particularly the ones that have further to travel like onions and lemons which are already incurring a $1 per kilometre additional transport levy for those trucks bringing that produce to the distribution centres to get to consumers at the supermarkets,” Xavier Martin, NSW farmers president said.
It’s a fresh and devastating blow is heading for struggling households with the price of food expected to spike even further in coming weeks. (9News)
The price of home brand milk is also expected to climb, with dairy farmers asking supermarkets to increase prices by 30 cents per litre as processors pay through the nose to combat high diesel and fertiliser shortages.
As for everything else, retailers have been absorbing exploding transport costs but now need to pass that onto shoppers.
Some economists say a 20 per cent price hike for fresh food is just the beginning with even further increases anticipated unless the war in the Middle East ends.
Retailers have been absorbing exploding transport costs but now need to pass that onto shoppers. (9News)
“Even if it ended today where has been impacts on supply chains that will be with us for weeks and months ahead,” Energy Minster Chris Bowen said.
New data from the UN says global wheat prices have already risen by 4.3 per cent last month, with farmers planting less because of the challenges they are facing.
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John Lithgow has voiced his perspective on the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling’s remarks about the transgender community, suggesting that her views have often been “twisted and misrepresented.” This comes amid the ongoing backlash related to HBO’s forthcoming “Harry Potter” series.
Lithgow, who is set to portray Albus Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” television adaptation, acknowledges that while he disagrees with many of Rowling’s statements, he feels the criticism hasn’t always been fair.
During an interview on The New Yorker Radio Hour, the 80-year-old actor shared that he faced pressure to distance himself from the project. However, he firmly stated, “I was not about to do that.”
“I just felt the reasons to participate were far more compelling than the reasons to protest against Rowling’s actions and comments,” Lithgow explained.
He added, “Although I disagree with many of her views, I believe a lot of it has been distorted, and she has, in some ways, reinforced these views at a personal cost.”
Explaining why he took on the role, Lithgow said: “There was everything attractive about the job and job security into my late years. You know, you don’t ignore those issues.
“The whole subject of Rowling’s imputed prejudice, it came up sort of after everything was already underway. I’d already said yes.”
The “Giant” star also emphasized that the creative team — not Rowling — drew him in.
“I have not met her,” he said, adding that showrunner Francesca Gardiner “persuaded me, she’s the big reason I took it on.”
Still, he didn’t hold back his personal reaction to the author’s rhetoric, saying he has been “surprised and disappointed” by the tone of her social media posts.
Earlier this year, Lithgow struck a similar note while speaking at the Rotterdam Film Festival, where he called Rowling’s views “ironic and inexplicable” while stressing the books themselves tell a very different story.
“In ‘Potter’ canon, you see no trace of transphobic sensitivity,” he said. “She’s written this meditation of kindness and acceptance. And Dumbledore is a beautiful role.”
The debate has also spread through Hollywood, with Andrew Garfield recently referring to Rowling as “she that shall remain nameless” and accusing her of supporting “inhumane” causes.
“I know it’s, like, controversial. And, like, we shouldn’t be, you know, putting money in the pocket of inhumane legislation right now through she that shall remain nameless,” Garfield told Hits Radio, referencing Voldemort, the “Harry Potter” villain known as “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.”
“But the soul and the spirit of a lot of the essence of the themes of those films and the kids are so good,” he added. “We can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater, there are so many beautiful artists who worked on those films.”
Rowling’s outspoken views on transgender issues have driven a wedge between the author and several stars of the original films.
Last May, Rowling penned a scathing essay when multiple “Harry Potter” actors signed a pro-trans open letter after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the terms “woman” and “sex” refer strictly to a biological woman and biological sex.
She described the actors — among them being Eddie Redmayne, Paapa Essiedu and Katie Leung — as “back-stabbing colleagues” who she said are “motivated by fear.”
The HBO series has already led to death threats aimed at Essiedu after he was announced as Severus Snape, prompting heightened security around the production.
Rowling has continued to champion the reboot, recently replying to a fan who praised early footage: “It’s going to be incredible. I’m so happy with it.”
The new “Harry Potter” series is expected to debut over Christmas 2026 on HBO and stream on HBO Max.
