NASA’s Artemis-2 mission, launched from Florida, will send four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor J. Glover, and Jeremy Hansen—on a 10-day journey around the Moon without landing. The mission, originally planned for November 2024, was delayed due to technical issues. It aims to test flight strategies and prepare for Artemis-3, scheduled for next year. The next human landing on the lunar surface is expected with Artemis-4, planned for 2028.

The Artemis program, launched in 2017 after several canceled projects, involves thousands of people and an estimated cost of $93 billion. It seeks to establish a sustainable lunar presence through a lunar orbit station and a surface base, paving the way for future Mars missions. NASA has partnered with private companies, selecting SpaceX’s Starship and Blue Origin’s lander designs for future lunar landings.

NASA’s renewed lunar focus also reflects growing geopolitical interest, as both the United States and China aim to explore resource-rich regions of the Moon. Artemis-2 will mark the first time in over 50 years that humans view the Moon’s far side directly, capturing images for future scientific analysis.

Astronauts of NASA’s Artemis mission completed their final preparations on Saturday for entering the Moon’s orbit. The crew, consisting of Americans Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen, reviewed imaging and analysis tasks for lunar surface features. At the start of their workday, they were about 169,000 miles from Earth and 110,700 miles from the Moon. The next key phase, entering the Moon’s gravitational sphere, is expected between Sunday and Monday night.

NASA reported that the Orion spacecraft’s crew began their day with breakfast and music, maintaining high morale. Glover was scheduled to conduct manual piloting tests to provide NASA with additional data on deep-space performance. The astronauts also reviewed checklists for documenting their lunar flyby experience and continued photographing geological formations such as lava flows and craters.

The Artemis-2 mission is part of NASA’s long-term plan to return humans to the Moon and establish a permanent base for future deep-space research. NASA officials described the mission as a learning experience, marking the first time a crewed spacecraft is operating in deep space in decades.

The United States has rescued a missing crew member of an F-15 fighter jet that was downed in Iran. The operation, conducted overnight under heavy fire, involved hundreds of US special forces personnel and several heavily armed aircraft. According to a report by Al Jazeera, the mission successfully extracted the missing officer from Iranian territory and moved him to safety outside the country. US President Donald Trump confirmed that the rescued officer, a colonel, is now safe and in good health.

The pilot had been missing for two days, while another crew member had been rescued earlier. US forces reportedly monitored the colonel’s location for 24 hours before launching the mission. Trump stated that no American soldiers were killed or injured during the operation, which he described as carefully planned and executed with advanced weaponry.

Iran has not issued any official comment on the incident. However, reports from the city of Dehdasht indicated clashes and airstrikes during the night, with at least four people killed and the death toll possibly higher in later updates.

The United States is transferring a large number of its long-range JASSM-ER cruise missiles to the Middle East as a follow-up to its recent military operations against Iran. According to a source cited by NDTV, the missiles are being moved from reserves originally allocated to other regions, including the Pacific. Orders to withdraw the missiles, each valued at about 1.5 million dollars, were issued in late March. The weapons are being relocated to US Central Command bases and the Fairford base in the United Kingdom.

After the redeployment, only about 425 of the pre-war stockpile of 2,300 JASSM-ER missiles will remain available for other regions, with around 75 rendered unusable due to damage or technical faults. The report adds that nearly two-thirds of the US missile reserves, including shorter-range JASSM models with a range of about 250 miles, have been committed to the Iran conflict. Since the joint US-Israel air campaign began on February 28, concerns have grown over missile defense and long-range weapon stockpiles.

The source noted that over a thousand JASSM-ER missiles have already been used within four weeks of fighting, and 47 were deployed in an operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The pace of use suggests that replenishing the arsenal could take several years.

U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that a missing American military officer was successfully rescued after his fighter jet was shot down over Iranian airspace. In a statement, Trump said the U.S. military carried out one of the most daring search and rescue operations in American history to recover the officer, who is an arms specialist with the rank of colonel. He added that the rescued officer is now completely safe.

According to the report, the officer went missing after an F-15E fighter jet was downed. The U.S. military quickly identified his location and launched a rescue mission. Although detailed information about the operation has not yet been released, it is being described as one of the most notable military rescue missions in recent times.

Further details about the circumstances of the crash and the rescue operation remain undisclosed, and no additional official statements have been issued so far.

A recent Reuters-Ipsos poll found that 56 percent of Americans believe the ongoing war with Iran will negatively affect the U.S. economy. The survey, conducted from March 27 to 29 across the United States, included responses from 1,021 participants. Only 7 percent thought the war would have a positive impact, while 12 percent expected no effect. About 25 percent did not answer the question.

The poll also revealed widespread concern for U.S. military personnel, with 86 percent of respondents expressing worry about the safety of service members involved in the conflict. In addition, 52 percent said they believe the U.S. military operation will worsen stability in the Middle East, while 21 percent expect conditions to improve.

The findings highlight growing public anxiety over both economic and security consequences of the U.S. military campaign in Iran, reflecting skepticism about its potential to bring regional stability.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited controversy by suggesting that Venezuela could become the 51st state of the United States. The comment, made in March 2026 on social media, has drawn sharp reactions across American and international circles. While some dismissed it as humor, others viewed it as a reflection of a dangerous political mindset. Analysts noted that Trump has previously made similar remarks about Greenland, Canada, and Cuba.

Political experts and policymakers in the U.S. have largely rejected the idea as unrealistic and unconstitutional, emphasizing that incorporating a sovereign nation as a state contradicts both U.S. law and international norms. Critics argue that such rhetoric echoes early 20th-century imperialism and undermines the principles of sovereignty enshrined in the UN Charter. The debate intensified following a U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and Trump’s administration’s pledge to oversee the country’s oil infrastructure.

Observers warn that even symbolic statements like this can damage America’s global image and strain relations with allies. Many view Trump’s comment as politically charged rhetoric rather than a genuine policy proposal, yet it has revived concerns about U.S. interventionism in Latin America.

The White House has requested nearly $1.5 trillion for defense spending in the 2027 fiscal year budget proposal submitted to Congress. The proposed amount represents a 42 percent increase from the previous year and would mark the highest defense budget in modern US history. The proposal comes as the Iran war continues, underscoring the Trump administration’s focus on expanding military capabilities.

According to the proposal, the funds would strengthen ammunition reserves, expand the US Navy, and initiate construction of President Donald Trump’s planned ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense system. It also includes a 5 to 7 percent pay raise for all military personnel to support recruitment and retention. Of the additional $445 billion requested, $350 billion would be passed through a new law allowing Senate Republicans to approve it by majority vote without Democratic support.

The budget also emphasizes defense-related priorities across other agencies. The Department of Energy proposed over $3.5 billion in additional funding for the National Nuclear Security Administration to develop new nuclear warheads, modernize existing ones, and advance technologies for future naval forces.

The United States’ national debt has exceeded $39 trillion just weeks after the start of the war against Iran, according to Treasury data released on March 18, 2026. The Congressional Budget Office reported that the federal budget deficit grew by another $1 trillion in the first five months of the fiscal year, with the government borrowing about $500 billion weekly. Analysts warn that under President Donald Trump’s policies, the debt could reach $64 trillion within a decade.

The debt surge reflects the combined impact of war spending, tax cuts, higher defense budgets, and immigration control costs. Interest payments alone have risen sharply, costing over $43 billion in the first five months. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and other economists have cautioned that the debt trajectory poses long-term risks, while the White House insists deficit reduction measures are beginning to take effect.

Financial institutions such as JPMorgan and experts like Ray Dalio and Janet Yellen have also warned that the growing debt burden could constrain investment, raise borrowing costs, and weaken the government’s ability to manage inflation and unemployment.

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States could easily open the Strait of Hormuz and generate substantial revenue by extracting oil from the area. In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated that with a little more time, the US could open the strait, extract oil, and earn huge profits. He described the potential as a major 'gusher' for the entire world.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes, carrying a significant portion of global oil supplies. Recently, Iran has banned the passage of ships belonging to the United States, Israel, and their allies through the strait following US-Israeli attacks on Iranian territory. The situation has heightened tensions in the region, with energy security and freedom of navigation emerging as key concerns.

Trump’s remarks come amid ongoing geopolitical friction in the Gulf, where control over the Strait of Hormuz remains a central issue for global oil markets and regional stability.

A new controversy has emerged over U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed underground ballroom project at the White House. Initially kept secret, details surfaced after legal complications forced partial disclosure. The plan involves constructing a 90,000-square-foot ballroom costing about 400 million dollars, replacing the old Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC) built during World War II. Construction had already begun, with workers demolishing the old facility to build a larger, modern structure.

Trump stated that the ballroom would protect the underlying military installation and include bomb storage, medical facilities, a hospital, secure communications, and biological defense systems. However, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon halted the project, ruling that Trump cannot proceed without congressional approval. The National Trust for Historic Preservation had filed the injunction request, which the judge accepted in part.

The U.S. Secret Service warned that stopping construction could compromise presidential security. White House officials admitted that parts of the project are classified, leaving questions about its true scope, cost, and military involvement unresolved.

The White House has announced a 100% tariff on imported patented foreign medicines, marking a major shift in U.S. trade and health policy. Exporting companies can avoid the high tariff by signing agreements with the U.S. government. The move, formally declared on Thursday, fulfills President Donald Trump’s long-standing warning to impose tariffs on imported drugs. Officials said the policy aims to strengthen domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and reduce national security risks.

Analysts noted that the immediate impact may be limited since the measure excludes generic drugs, which dominate U.S. consumption. Several major pharmaceutical firms have already signed agreements exempting them from the tariff, and more are expected to follow. Companies pledging to begin U.S. production by January 2029 will face a reduced 20% tariff, while those agreeing to government pricing terms could see tariffs fully lifted.

The White House stated that the policy has already prompted about $400 billion in pledged investments. However, experts warned that smaller firms may face higher costs, and the long-term effects remain uncertain after Trump’s term ends in January 2029.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has dismissed Army Chief of Staff General Randy George as part of a major leadership reshuffle at the Pentagon. The decision was confirmed on Thursday, April 2, by two officials from the US Department of Defense and one related source, according to Reuters.

The Pentagon, however, officially described the move as a retirement, stating that General George, the 41st Army Chief of Staff, is retiring immediately despite having more than a year left in his term. In a statement, the Pentagon expressed gratitude for his decades of service and extended best wishes for his retirement.

No specific reason for General George’s sudden departure has been disclosed by the Department of Defense, leaving the circumstances surrounding the decision unclear.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Israel is a 'good team player' and will act according to his instructions. In an interview with Time magazine, Trump said that Israel would stop fighting when he tells them to stop, emphasizing that they would only continue if provoked. He added that when he stops, Israel will also stop, suggesting a close alignment between his decisions and Israel’s actions.

The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and highlight Trump’s assertion of strong influence over Israel’s military and diplomatic behavior. His comments suggest that he views the U.S.–Israel relationship as one where Washington’s directives are followed closely by Tel Aviv.

The statement underscores Trump’s approach to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, portraying a dynamic where American leadership directly shapes Israel’s actions in conflict situations.

US President Donald Trump has removed Attorney General Pam Bondi from her position, according to reports published on April 3, 2026. Deputy Attorney General Tope Blache is set to replace Bondi. Trump announced the decision on his social platform Truth Social, stating that Bondi is leaving to take an important new role in the private sector. He praised her as a patriotic and loyal friend who served with dedication, noting that under her leadership, homicide rates fell to their lowest level since the 1900s.

Sources indicated that Trump had been dissatisfied with Bondi over her handling of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and her reluctance to prosecute political rivals. The president had reportedly discussed her removal with close allies and spoke to Bondi personally about it on Wednesday. Last month, Trump had also removed Kristi Noem from the Department of Homeland Security.

Reports suggest Bondi might be assigned another role, though discussions about appointing her as a judge did not progress. CNN reported that Bondi had attempted to pursue legal action against Trump’s rivals, but courts dismissed those cases.