NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman defended the all-male Artemis III crew after criticism online, saying the astronauts were chosen for experience, skills and availability. The 2027 mission will test Orion docking operations with SpaceX and Blue Origin moon landers in Earth orbit.
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NASA named Randy Bresnik, Luca Parmitano, Frank Rubio and Andre Douglas to the Artemis III crew. The mission will test lunar lander rendezvous and docking in Earth orbit before a planned moon landing attempt in 2028.
Alexander Zverev beat Flavio Cobolli in five sets at Roland Garros to win his first Grand Slam title in his fourth major final. The German claimed the French Open after earlier final defeats at the U.S. Open, Australian Open and Roland Garros.
French prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into suspected torture and war crimes after activists accused Israeli authorities of abusing Gaza flotilla detainees. Israel denies the allegations, while several allied governments have condemned the treatment of their nationals.
Google engineer Michele Spagnuolo is charged with insider trading after allegedly using confidential search data to win over $1.2 million betting on Polymarket. This is the second major insider trading case linked to the prediction market platform.
Despite a ceasefire between the US and Iran, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains far below normal levels, with only a handful of ships passing through the crucial oil shipping route. Iran’s restrictions and regional tensions continue to complicate safe passage.
American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson was kidnapped in Baghdad by suspected Iranian-backed militants linked to the militia group Kata'ib Hezbollah, with Iraqi security forces arresting one suspect and continuing efforts to secure her release. Despite multiple warnings from the U.S. State Department about threats to her safety, Kittleson traveled to Baghdad, where surveillance footage showed her abduction. U.S. and Iraqi authorities, including the FBI and counter-terrorism units, are coordinating to resolve the situation amid heightened tensions involving Iranian-aligned militias in Iraq.
On Palm Sunday, Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Reverend Francesco Ielpo from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, marking the first time in centuries that the traditional Mass could not be held there, due to heightened security amid conflict between Israel and Iran. The move, justified by Israeli authorities as a safety measure against missile threats, sparked widespread international condemnation for infringing on religious freedoms and access to holy sites. In response to the backlash, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office pledged to facilitate worship for church leaders during the remainder of Easter week, highlighting the ongoing tension between security and religious rights in Jerusalem.