The Artemis II astronauts have waved goodbye to their families and friends as they prepare to launch on their voyage around the moon.

Jeremy Hansen, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman and Christina Koch are about to embark on their 10-day trip to the moon and back for the first time in 53 years.

Glover was seen mouthing ‘I love you’ to each of his family members wearing matching t-shirts before the voyagers boarded a shuttle bus on their way to the launch pad 39B.

The launch now looks likely to go ahead after many setbacks with the crew all in their flight suits and good weather conditions.

Waving to family, colleagues and news photographers, the crew boarded the so-called astrovan for the 9-mile ride to the launch pad and their awaiting SLS rocket.

Before their highly anticipated walkout, commander Reid Wiseman and his crew played a quick card game with NASA’s chief astronaut Scott Tingle. It’s a preflight tradition since the space shuttle era.

Losing is good: It means the astronaut has gotten rid of all bad luck before launching.

The four thanked the suit techs and posed for photos, keeping a safe distance from many of the bystanders to avoid germs.

They then went down the elevator at the Neil Armstrong Operations & Checkout Building and walk out to a barrage of cameras and cheers.

What is Artemis?

Artemis, Nasa’s return-to-the-moon programme, has been plagued by delays, technical hiccups and budget cuts for years.

This has all but denied generations of astronauts their chance at walking where Neil Armstrong once did in 1969.

The last time humans were casually strolling – or moonwalking, we suppose – on the moon was for the 1972 Apollo 17 mission.

Donald Trump made bringing American space boots back to the lunar surface a goal during his first administration, signing Artemis in 2017.

Space officials were tasked with working with commercial companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX to build a lunar-orbiting Gateway outpost.

The project’s first mission, known as Artemis I, involved an uncrewed Orion capsule doing a 1.3 million-mile lap around the moon in 2022.

Unlike the Apollo missions, the second Artemis mission won’t actually land on the moon.

Nevertheless, it will be the first to leave Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in 53 years.

It will also be the first time that astronauts launch on top of NASA’s giant Space Launch System rocket and then swing around the Moon inside the Orion crew capsule.

This equipment was one of the main reasons Artemis II was postponed by more than a year, with NASA citing issues with Orion’s life support system.

This is a breaking news story… more to follow…

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The European Union (EU) could revive measures brought in after Russia cut gas supplies in 2022 amid a mounting energy crisis due to the Iran war.

Gas prices on the continent have risen by more than 70% since the conflict started on 28 February.

Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping in response to US-Israeli attacks, and this has largely stopped the flow of oil and gas from the Middle East.

Iran war latest: Trump to address US with ‘important’ update

And US President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that the war could soon end – with the situation in the strait still unresolved.

The EU‘s supplies of crude oil and natural gas have not been hit directly by the closure, as Europe imports most of those energy sources from suppliers outside of the Middle East.

However, the bloc is concerned about Europe’s supply of refined petroleum products, such as jet fuel and diesel.

The last kerosene shipments that passed through the Strait of Hormuz before its closure are due to arrive in Europe around 10 April, according to Benedict George, head of European products at Argus Media.

“There’s no realistic risk of actually running out” of jet fuel, George said, though he added that, “stocks could fall to a level where you have localised shortages”.

Ryanair group CEO Micheal O’Leary has warned of jet fuel supply disruption in May in an interview with Sky News.

Speaking after a virtual meeting of EU countries’ energy ministers to discuss their response, Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen suggested that measures brought in in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine could be revived.

“We don’t know how long this crisis will last. And since we don’t know how deep it will be, we are also preparing different opportunities and possibilities that look more like the ones we used under the crisis in 2022,” he said.

The EU introduced a number of measures in 2022, including a cap on gas prices, a tax energy companies’ profits and targets to curb demand.

Jorgensen also warned that he does not see a quick resolution to the energy crisis, even if the conflict ends soon.

He added: “What I find extremely important is to state as clearly as I can, that even if that peace is here tomorrow, still we will not go back to normal in a foreseeable future.”

Jorgensen is encouraging EU member states to consider the International Energy Agency’s 10-point plan, which includes home working and reduced speeds limits along with more use of public transport and increased car sharing.

Read more from Sky News:
Countries dealing with rising oil and gas prices
Iran’s allies could shut second crucial sea route

The EU, however, will stand by its decision not to buy gas from Russia.

Jorgensen said the block should never “repeat the mistakes of the past allowing [Vladimir] Putin to weaponise energy against us and blackmail member states”.

He added that “it would be totally unacceptable” for the EU to continue buying energy that would “indirectly help finance the terrible war that Putin is conducting in Ukraine”.

The doors to Cumberland House, an 18th-century, Grade I-listed building, opened to the public for the first time in three years on Friday (March 27).

The Cumberland, on the corner of Cumberland Street and King’s Staith, serves seasonal British cuisine from its elegant 70-seat dining room.

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Crafted by head chef James Whitlock and his culinary team, the menu incorporates a blend of meat and fish dishes made with local ingredients.

The Cumberland overlooks a picturesque River Ouse (Image: Newsquest)

Guests can begin their dining experience with a starter of roasted heritage tomato soup, spring tartlet, a trout and nori mosaic, ham hock pressing or pan-seared scallops.

The restaurant includes a modern bar, stocked with a variety of wines and spirits, which leads to the building’s sweeping staircase and separate dining space.

Outside, there is a 30-seat dining area by the river – a hotspot in the summer months.

The restaurant includes a 70-seat dining room (Image: Newsquest)

Owners, Shaun and Jamie-Lee Binns, said that they wished to restore the building to its “former glory”.

The pair recruited an interior designer, who helped preserve some of the four-storey building’s historic features, including an original fireplace.

The interiors were brought to life by Rich Andrews and his company AC Building, who have been described as “instrumental” in the building restoration and its maintenance – ensuring it opened on schedule.

A bar leads to the building’s sweeping 18th-century staircase and upstairs seating (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking ahead of the restaurant’s launch, a spokesperson for The Cumberland said: “Hospitality is deeply rooted in the Binns’ family history, which has owned The Lowther since 1987.

“Shaun and Jamie took over The Lowther in 2003, later expanding with Lil’s on the Waterfront in 2016.

“The decision to take on The Cumberland was driven by a desire to preserve a beautiful and historic building that had stood empty for three years after previously being used as solicitors’ offices.

“Recognising its potential and importance, Shaun and Jamie stepped in to protect it from further deterioration, including flood damage, and to restore it to its former glory.”

You can find out more here.

Italy have missed out on a third consecutive World Cup with their players left devastated, and Gianluigi Donnarumma has opened up in a message on his social media

Gianluigi Donnarumma has confessed that he cried after missing out on another World Cup – but underlined his determination to “bring Italy back where it deserves to be”. The Manchester City goalkeeper was part of another Azzurri side who failed to make the sport’s biggest tournament.

They were beaten by Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night after a penalty shootout. The Italians lost 4-1 with Donnarumma unable to stop a single spot kick. Italy had taken the lead early on before they went down to 10 men, with Bosnia equalising in the second-half before securing a second penalty shootout victory in less than a week.

It means the Italians, who won the tournament in 2006, have missed out on the last three World Cups. Donnarumma remains one of their leading lights but, despite making his Italy debut at 16, he will now not play in a World Cup until he is at least 31.

The City goalkeeper wrote on Instagram: “Last night, after the match, I cried. I cried because of the disappointment of not being able to bring Italy where it deserves to be. I cried because of the enormous sadness I’m feeling, along with the entire Azzurri team, of which I’m proud to be captain, and I know, right now, you, fans of our national team, are feeling too.

READ MORE: World Cup 2026 draw in full as Italy’s curse continues vs Bosnia and Sweden qualifyREAD MORE: Six top players who’ll MISS World Cup 2026 including 675-goal machine and £62m star

“Words are of little use now, it’s true. But I feel one thing strongly inside, and I want to share it with you: after such a huge disappointment, we must find the courage to turn the page, once again. And to do so requires a lot of strength, passion, and conviction. Always believe; this is the driving force behind moving forward. Because life knows how to reward those who give their all, without holding back. And this is where we must start again. Together. Once again. To bring Italy back where it deserves to be.”

Italy are four-time winners of the World Cup – a total only surpassed by Brazil. However, they’ve failed to even compete on the global stage for several years.

Sandwiched in between their World Cup failures was a European triumph. Donnarumma was named the Player of the Tournament as Italy claimed glory at Euro 2020, beating England in the final on penalties.

They’ve failed to reach those heights since with Luciano Spalletti and Gennaro Gattuso unable to enjoy similar success. The head of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) Gabriele Gravina told reporters he had asked Gattuso to stay, but he claimed that “was not important” after their qualification failure.

He said: “It hurts, because we needed it for us, for all of Italy and for our movement. A blow that’s difficult to digest. I would have given up years of my life, money, for us to achieve our goal.”

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I’ve made lots of lemon cakes over the years – simple ones baked in a loaf tin, round ones filled with lemon curd and covered in buttercream icing. I wanted to make one that was intensely lemony, a bit more grown-up than most. This is it. You don’t have to ice this cake – the icing does make it sweeter. 

If you prefer a more mouth-puckering lemon experience, dust the top with icing sugar before serving it and leave it at that.

The field was used as part of Munchkinland in the movie Wicked.

Spring is many people’s favourite season thanks to the longer hours of sunlight and flowers that will bloom adding a bit more colour to life. For those who love flowers, you might not want to miss out on the chance to see the UK’s biggest working tulip field.

Found between King’s Lynn and Fakenham, Norfolk Tulips is only open to the public for a few days every year. For 2026, the tulip field will returning for its sixth year and will be open for 10 days between Thursday, April 16, and Monday, April 27.

The tulip field covers over 20 acres and features 9.1 million flowers to see. You might recognise the field if you have watched the Hollywood blockbuster, Wicked.

The tulip field was used to make up part of Munchkinland with Munchkins seen running through the fields. Director Jon M. Chu decided to use the field as a filming location after he saw a viral video of the tulips online.

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Whether you love Wicked and would like to see where some of it was filmed or want to see the flowers, you might want to take a trip to Norfolk Tulips. Visitors are able to walk through the fields and see the tulips in a range of different colours.

On some days, the field is open from 10am until 4pm or you can watch the sun set in the tulip field when it is open until the later time of 8pm. Money from the opening goes towards the Tapping House, a local hospice.

If you are unable to make it to Norfolk to see the tulips in person, you can order a bouquet from the Norfolk Tulips website. You can buy a bouquet of one colour of tulips or even buy bulbs to plant in your garden to create your own mini tulip field.

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Tickets to see the famous tulip field cost £10 for adults and £5 for children between the ages of five and 16 with car parking costing £2.50 per car. The tickets can be bought from the Norfolk Tulips website from 10am on Tuesday, April 7.

Norfolk Tulips can be found outside of King’s Lynn on Mill Road. It is around an hour and a half drive from Cambridge via the A10.

Roasting cauliflower intensifies its sweetness, so don’t opt to steam or boil instead. This is great for spring – it’s the spinach – and even those who aren’t much into vegetables love it. If you can’t get Lancashire cheese, which is creamy and mild, use a mild Cheddar cheese, grated, or a mild goat’s cheese, crumbled.

Requires 1 hour refrigerating time and 15 minutes cooling time

Two migrants have died off the coast of France during an attempt to cross the English Channel.

Six other migrants were rescued, with one of them taken to hospital.

It comes a day after the government signed an extension with France over current arrangements on beach patrols as part of efforts to reduce the number of Channel crossings.

The French maritime prefecture said the latest incident started when a small boat headed towards the beach at Gravelines, near Calais, at around 9.30am on Wednesday.

A group of about 30 migrants was waiting for it.

Eight people were pulled onto a rescue boat when they got into difficulty, but two of the migrants could not be saved, officials said.

The group of migrants, including children, was seen struggling to board the small boat.

At least 12 French police officers were present in the Gravelines beach area at the time.

A French navy helicopter carried out a search as part of attempts to ensure nobody was left in the water, the French authority said.

On Tuesday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signed a two-month extension to the current arrangement with France over Channel crossings, while the countries thrash out a longer-term agreement.

It came hours before the £478m deal, put in place in 2023 by the then Tory government, was due to end.

The package was set up to fund a new detention centre in France and hundreds of extra law enforcement officers on its shores.

Tuesday’s extension means operational contracts will continue to be funded by £16.2m of UK government money.

A Home Office spokesperson said Ms Mahmood is “driving a hard bargain” with Paris to get “more bang for our buck”.

Ms Mahmood has previously been understood to be pushing for a new deal to include performance-related clauses that would link funding to the proportion of boats intercepted by the French.

Some 4,441 migrants arrived in the first three months of 2026, according to the latest Home Office data.

This is 33% lower than the number who had reached the UK by this point in 2025, which was 6,642.

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Refugee charity Care4Calais said it was a “tragedy that another two lives have been lost to our deadly border” and called for “safe routes” to be introduced so people could claim asylum in the UK.

Patrick Banks, 42, was jailed for three years by a judge at Sheffield Crown Court

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A police officer has been jailed for sexually assaulting a woman while investigating a sex offence she suffered from someone else. The single mother, who was homeless and ‘vulnerable’ at the time, said the police officer was “supposed to protect us”.

Patrick Banks, 42, was jailed for three years by a judge at Sheffield Crown Court who told him on Wednesday: “You grotesquely abused your position as a police officer.” The court heard how Banks had been assigned to investigate the woman last year.

The Mirror reports she had complained to West Yorkshire Police that she had been the victim of a sex assault in Leeds in April 2025. A judge told the court how Banks asked the woman to translate messages for him from French, before touching her inappropriately as he smelled her hair.

Prosecutor Mark Bates said the messages, which Banks had generated himself using Google Translate, included: “I like you a lot”, “I want to take off your underwear with my teeth” and “Do you miss sex”.

The court heard how the defendant messaged the woman from his personal phone, and visited her off-duty in his own car, but gave the impression he was on-duty. He also bought presents for one of the single mum’s children and officers found that he had viewed her social media more than 100 times.

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Facing Banks in court on Wednesday, the woman outlined the problems she had been having at that time, which had left her homeless with two children and made her especially vulnerable. She told the court: “What revolts me today is that the man who was supposed to protect me took advantage of this vulnerability.”

The woman said: “This trauma prevents me seeing the beauty and goodness in the world.”

The judge was told how Banks also made inappropriate contact with a second woman, who had also reported a sexual assault to West Yorkshire Police. Mr Bates told the court that police recovered 53 pages of messages between the defendant and this second woman, some asking her about personal matters, including her previous employment as a sex worker.

He also asked her for a “peck on the cheek”. Officers found the woman’s mobile phone in Banks’s house after he had told her it was going off for forensic examination.

The prosecutor said West Yorkshire Police had only one official record of the defendant visiting either of the women’s homes on official police business.

Sentencing Banks, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said: “It is a particularly aggravating feature of this case that you grotesquely abused your position as a police officer whilst working in the safeguarding unit of the West Yorkshire Police when you were supposed to be investigating sexual crimes perpetrated upon vulnerable women.“It is bad enough to behave inappropriately in such circumstances. It becomes exceptionally serious when the misconduct embraces a sexual crime.

“You were unhampered by scruples of any kind and your serious misconduct eclipsed your professional duty.”

Banks admitted misconduct in public office and sexual assault at a previous hearing. The court heard how he joined Essex Police in 2019 and moved to West Yorkshire Police in 2022 and was working as a detective constable in a specialist adult safeguarding unit.

He resigned in September 2025.

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