Google CEO Sundar Pichai joined millions worldwide in celebrating the successful launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission Wednesday evening, posting on X that “we have liftoff” and imagining the “amazing view” the four-person crew will have looking back at Earth from lunar orbit during the first human journey around the Moon in more than five decades.

“And we have liftoff! 🚀 Wishing the best to the Artemis II crew on their incredible journey ahead,” Pichai wrote shortly after the Space Launch System rocket thundered off Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center at 6:35 p.m. EDT on April 1, 2026. “Imagining the amazing view they have, looking down at Earth from space would be a beautiful thing.”

The 32-story SLS rocket, the most powerful ever built by NASA, carried the Orion spacecraft — named Integrity — and its international crew of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot) and Christina Koch (mission specialist), along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen (mission specialist). The 10-day mission marks the first time humans have ventured beyond low-Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in December 1972.

Historic Launch Caps Years of Preparation

The blastoff unfolded after multiple delays caused by technical issues and weather, but proceeded smoothly within the two-hour launch window. Tens of thousands gathered along Florida’s Space Coast to witness the event, while live streams drew global audiences riveted by the return of crewed lunar exploration.

Artemis II is a critical uncrewed-to-crewed test flight in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on and around the Moon as a stepping stone to Mars. Unlike Apollo missions that landed on the lunar surface, Artemis II will follow a free-return trajectory, swinging around the Moon without landing before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean around April 10.

During the journey, the crew will travel farther from Earth than any humans since Apollo 13 — reaching a maximum distance of approximately 252,799 statute miles. They will test Orion’s life-support systems, navigation, communication and emergency procedures in deep space, gathering data essential for Artemis III, the first planned crewed lunar landing since 1972.

NASA officials described the launch as flawless, with early telemetry showing all systems nominal. Post-launch news conferences confirmed the crew was healthy and the spacecraft performing as expected in initial orbit.

Crew Represents New Era of Diversity and Collaboration

The Artemis II crew embodies NASA’s push for diversity and international partnership. Wiseman, a U.S. Navy test pilot and veteran of a six-month International Space Station mission, commands the flight. Glover, the first Black astronaut to pilot a spacecraft, previously spent 168 days aboard the ISS. Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman. Hansen, the first Canadian selected for a lunar mission, brings international expertise.

Each astronaut has spoken about the personal significance of the mission. Many recalled childhood dreams of spaceflight and the perspective-shifting “overview effect” — the profound sense of Earth’s fragility and unity experienced by those who view the planet from afar. Pichai’s tweet directly echoed that theme, highlighting the emotional and philosophical impact of seeing Earth as a borderless blue marble.

Tech Leaders Weigh In on Space Milestone

Pichai’s enthusiastic response underscores growing synergy between Silicon Valley and the space sector. Google and Alphabet have supported NASA through AI-driven data analysis, Earth-observation tools and quantum computing research that could one day aid deep-space missions. Pichai has previously floated ambitious ideas, such as quantum clusters in space powered by systems like SpaceX’s Starship.

His post quickly garnered thousands of likes and replies, with users praising the inspirational tone. Fellow tech executives and space enthusiasts amplified the message, turning the launch into a viral moment across platforms. One reply noted, “Every astronaut who’s seen Earth from space comes back changed — borders invisible, oceans connected, the whole thing impossibly fragile.”

The mission also highlights Canada’s role in Artemis through the Canadian Space Agency’s contribution of the Canadarm3 robotic arm for future lunar gateways.

Broader Implications for Artemis Program

Artemis II is the second flight in the program after the successful uncrewed Artemis I in 2022. Success here clears the path for Artemis III, targeted for no earlier than 2027, which will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon near the south pole.

The program faces scrutiny over costs, delays and technical challenges with the SLS rocket, but Wednesday’s launch has renewed momentum. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called it “a giant leap for a new generation of explorers.”

Environmental and scientific payoffs include studying the Moon’s south pole for water ice that could support long-term habitats and testing technologies for Mars missions. The crew will conduct experiments on radiation exposure, spacecraft performance and human factors in deep space.

Public and Scientific Excitement Builds

Social media erupted with congratulations and anticipation. Replies to Pichai’s post and official NASA channels reflected awe at humanity’s return to lunar ambitions after a half-century hiatus. Educational institutions and space advocacy groups used the moment to inspire students in STEM fields.

As the crew settles into their multi-day journey, mission control will monitor every system. The astronauts are expected to share photos and videos, including the Earth views Pichai referenced, offering the public a rare glimpse of our planet from nearly a quarter-million miles away.

Pichai’s simple yet evocative tweet captured the universal appeal: not just the engineering triumph, but the perspective it offers on humanity’s place in the cosmos.

With Artemis II now underway, the world watches as four astronauts push the boundaries of exploration once more. Their safe return in about 10 days will mark another historic chapter — and potentially provide the “beautiful” Earth vista Pichai imagined, reminding everyone of the planet’s shared fragility and the drive to explore beyond it.

In an interaction with Kshitij Anand of ETMarkets, Ghosh highlighted that while FY26 has been marked by volatility due to geopolitical tensions and global uncertainties, India’s long-term structural story remains intact.

He added that a moderation in global themes such as the AI-led rally, along with improving earnings visibility and easing macro headwinds, could bring foreign investors back in a meaningful way, setting the stage for renewed bullish momentum in Indian equities. Edited Excerpts –

Q) FY26 returns have turned negative due to geopolitical concerns around West Asia. How do you sum up the financial year?

A) This has been a challenging year for the market. Just as synchronized fiscal and monetary policies were beginning to restore growth traction, geopolitical conflict disrupted the momentum.

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While our forex reserves remain a core strength, we are navigating a capital account deficit; first since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). This problem is now further exacerbated by the energy crisis and making the currency vulnerable.
However, it’s important not to lose sight of the bigger picture. If we look past the immediate noise, India’s track record is stellar.
We’ve seen 15%+ returns over the last 10 years, proving that while the short term is bumpy, the long-term Indian equity story is still one of the best in the world.
Q) As we head towards FY27, what are the key triggers investors should keep in mind that could lead to a market reversal or return of bullish sentiment?
A) I believe the backdrop will improve quickly once the geopolitical situation settles and we get clearer earning growth visibility. That said, the real ‘engine’ for a sustained rally will be the return of FIIs in a big way.

India is still one of the best long-term growth stories out there, but we lost the AI theme. Our market has recently been overshadowed by global AI hype.

Now that the AI and AI connected play is looking a bit overdone, a valuation correction there could be exactly what brings foreign investors back to our market.

Q) Which sectors should be on investors’ radar for FY27?
A) Our overarching theme remains centered on the domestic growth story. However, at this juncture, it is prudent to integrate a direct inflation proxy within the portfolio.

We simply cannot afford to ignore the sectors acting as the primary source for the high inflationary cycle that is expected to accelerate in the coming days.

Within the domestic framework, we maintain a strong preference for the banking and financial services sectors as our primary growth play.

Q) How should one approach gold and silver in the new financial year?
A) While gold is outside my primary area of expertise, its role as a hedge during periods of heightened uncertainty is undeniable.

However, current valuations are exceptionally stretched, which complicates tactical entry and suggests that traditional empirical prudence may not apply in the short term.
Looking further ahead, I believe a structural allocation to gold is justified as U.S. fiscal dominance faces headwinds and gold increasingly replaces U.S. Treasuries as the premier global risk hedge.

Q) Do you think there are certain sectors that have already corrected and are now available at attractive valuations?
A) While I believe the banking and real estate sectors have reached to a point where measured positions are warranted, the broader market remains expensive.

When we subject our investment universe to terminal growth rate modeling, we find very few opportunities priced under reasonable assumptions.

The fundamental wisdom of these models suggests that current valuations are pricing in a level of growth that is difficult to justify despite India remaining one of the best structural growth stories in the world.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)

Arrivals could fall to lowest level in three years as war drives up fuel costs and disrupts global travel

Thailand’s tourism industry faces a sobering year ahead, with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports warning that the country could receive three million fewer foreign visitors in 2026 — a near 10% drop from last year — if the Middle East conflict continues for another six months.

The shortfall would cost the economy an estimated 150 billion baht, wiping out a tenth of the country’s total foreign tourist receipts, according to Natthriya Thaweevong, the ministry’s permanent secretary.

“The heart of tourism is the journey, and to make that journey you need fuel,” Ms Natthriya told Bloomberg News. “Everyone is affected and faces the same high costs. We’ll lose tourists from all over.”

The warning puts the government’s ambitious target of 35 million foreign arrivals this year in serious doubt. Should the worst-case scenario materialise, visitor numbers could slip back to around 28 million — the level recorded in 2023 — erasing years of post-pandemic recovery efforts.

A Sector Already Under Pressure

The timing could hardly be worse. Tourism, which contributes roughly 12% to Thailand’s GDP, has struggled to regain its footing since the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, the country welcomed 33 million visitors — itself a 7.2% decline from the prior year — as the country was battered by an earthquake, historic flooding, and deadly border clashes with Cambodia. In the first three months of 2026, arrivals are already running about 3% behind the same period a year ago.

Pivoting to New Markets

In response, authorities are redirecting marketing budgets originally earmarked for Europe and the United States toward country-specific campaigns in the Middle East. The government is aiming to attract at least 200,000 visitors from the region this year — roughly a quarter of last year’s total.

The appeal is clear: Middle Eastern tourists spend an average of 80,000 baht per trip, compared to 61,000 baht for Europeans and just 39,000 baht for Asian visitors. Their willingness to pay premium fares, including charter flights, makes them a resilient market even as airline costs soar.

Thailand is also doubling down on medical tourism, with flagship hospital groups Bangkok Dusit Medical Services and Bumrungrad Hospital leading efforts to position the country as a regional healthcare destination. Separately, short-haul campaigns targeting neighbouring Asian markets are being rolled out to compensate for reduced long-haul traffic.

Domestic Cushion

On the home front, the government plans to introduce incentives next month to encourage domestic travel, including tax allowances on tourism receipts. Officials are also weighing debt relief for hotel operators and fuel rationing at petrol stations to ensure tour buses can keep running.

Despite the headwinds, Ms Natthriya struck a determined note. “Now, with the war affecting things, this growth driver might be faltering,” she said. “But we have to keep going.”

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The scheme is being delivered by investment giant Legal & General

Plans to transform a derelict former diesel depot near Temple Meads station in Bristol into a vibrant urban quarter have been given the green light. Bristol City Council unanimously approved the hybrid application for the regeneration of the area known as ‘Temple Island’ on Wednesday, April 1.

The scheme, which is being delivered by investment firm Legal and General (L&G), is for up to 520 properties, new offices, public spaces and a 160-room hotel.

L&G said the approval was “a critical step” towards unlocking a long‑vacant brownfield site.

“As a leading pensions provider, we are committed to long‑term investment in infrastructure and housing to help shape a better built environment for the communities where our savers live,” the company said in a statement.

“Our track record in delivering major regeneration schemes in cities such as Newcastle, Cardiff and Sheffield, together with our strong public sector partnerships, enables us to drive forward place‑based developments that support local needs whilst delivering for pension savers across the country.

“The scheme comes forward at a time when development viability across the city is under pressure, and we welcome the Local Planning Authority’s recognition of the substantial benefits Temple Island will deliver: supporting new jobs, enhancing the public realm, and contributing to the wider regeneration of Temple Quarter.”

The Temple Island site sits between the Bath Road and the River Avon. According to L&G, the proposals are designed to be largely ‘car free’.

L&G said entrances from the Bath Road will create new connections between south Bristol and Bristol Temple Meads station, the new University of Bristol campus and the wider Temple Quarter area.

The connection on the north side of the Bath Road will include stairs and a lift, while on the south side an existing access road will lead people down and under the road into the site. A footbridge will link the site with Temple Quarter and St Philip’s Marsh while ‘Brock’s Bridge’ will be the only route for vehicles into the site, but people will be able to walk and cycle across the bridge.

“We look forward to continuing our partnership with the public sector to bring new homes, jobs, and opportunities to Bristol, and to helping establish a thriving new community on Temple Island,” L&G added.

British Business Bank has invested $20 million into 9fin as part of a $170 million Series C funding round, propelling the London-based firm to unicorn status and reinforcing the UK’s position as a global fintech hub.

The round was led by HarbourVest, with participation from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and existing backers including Redalpine, Highland Europe, Spark Capital and Seedcamp. The British Business Bank’s investment was made in partnership with Redalpine, reflecting its growing focus on supporting later-stage scale-ups.

Founded in 2016, 9fin has built an AI-native intelligence platform designed for professionals operating in credit and debt markets, one of the largest asset classes globally.

The platform aggregates and analyses data that is traditionally fragmented across emails, PDFs and private data rooms, providing users with real-time insights, analytics and document extraction tools. This enables banks, asset managers, law firms and advisors to identify opportunities and manage risk more efficiently within a single interface.

With more than 300 institutional clients worldwide and multiple years of 100 per cent annual recurring revenue growth, 9fin has established itself as a fast-scaling player in financial data and analytics.

The new funding will be used to further develop 9fin’s AI capabilities, expand its proprietary dataset and accelerate growth in the United States, a key market for credit and leveraged finance activity.

Chief executive Steven Hunter said the company’s ambition is to become an essential platform for credit professionals.

“AI will redefine credit markets, but only if it is powered by proprietary data and embedded into how professionals actually work,” he said. “Our goal is to build the only platform they need.”

The investment marks another milestone for the British Business Bank’s equity programmes, which have now supported 27 UK unicorns, representing around 64 per cent of the country’s current billion-dollar startups.

Leandros Kalisperas, the bank’s chief investment officer, said increasing access to late-stage capital is critical to ensuring UK companies can scale while maintaining a domestic base.

“Investments like this help our most innovative businesses realise their commercial potential and compete globally,” he said.

George Mills, investment director at the bank, added that 9fin exemplifies the strength of UK fintech, particularly in applying AI to complex financial markets.

The deal highlights the continued momentum in the UK fintech sector, which remains one of the most dynamic in Europe.

By combining artificial intelligence with large-scale financial datasets, companies like 9fin are reshaping how markets operate, improving transparency, efficiency and decision-making across the credit landscape.

As global demand for data-driven financial tools grows, platforms that can integrate AI with high-quality proprietary data are expected to play an increasingly central role.

For 9fin, achieving unicorn status marks a significant step, but the focus now shifts to scaling internationally and maintaining its growth trajectory in a competitive and rapidly evolving market.

For the UK, the investment underscores the importance of sustained support for high-growth technology firms, ensuring that innovation developed domestically can translate into global success.

Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.

Shopify Inc. faced scattered reports of service disruptions Wednesday as hundreds of merchants complained of login failures, slow admin dashboards and intermittent checkout problems, though the company’s official status page showed all systems operational and no widespread outage was confirmed.

As of midday April 1, 2026, monitoring sites such as Downdetector recorded elevated but not massive user reports, primarily centered on the Shopify website and login functions. Merchants took to social media and community forums to share screenshots of error messages, including 500 and 502 server errors when attempting to access their admin panels or process orders.

Shopify’s status page at shopifystatus.com reported “No incidents reported today” as of early afternoon, with all core services listed as operational. The company has not issued a public statement acknowledging any issues, a pattern seen in previous minor glitches where problems resolved quickly without formal acknowledgment.

The timing added frustration for affected store owners. April 1 falls during a busy post-holiday sales period for many small and medium-sized businesses that rely on Shopify’s platform to manage inventory, fulfill orders and handle customer payments. Even brief disruptions can result in lost revenue, abandoned carts and customer complaints.

Reports described a range of symptoms: inability to log into the Shopify admin, slow loading of order pages, delayed payment processing and occasional complete unavailability of the dashboard. Some users noted that mobile apps were also affected, while others said the storefronts visible to customers remained online. Third-party apps and integrations appeared hit-or-miss depending on the specific service.

Shopify powers more than 2 million businesses worldwide, from independent artisans to large brands. A partial or regional disruption can ripple across thousands of stores, especially during peak hours when merchants monitor sales in real time. Past outages, such as the high-profile Cyber Monday disruption in December 2025 that affected thousands of users, have drawn sharp criticism from the merchant community for occurring during critical sales windows.

This latest episode, while smaller in scale, highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in cloud-based e-commerce platforms. Merchants depend on Shopify for seamless uptime, and even intermittent problems can erode trust. One store owner posted on social media: “Hundreds of us locked out again on a busy Wednesday — not acceptable for the fees we pay.”

Shopify has invested heavily in infrastructure and redundancy in recent years, including multiple data centers and automated failover systems. The platform’s status page typically updates quickly when major incidents occur, and engineering teams often resolve login or checkout glitches within 30 to 90 minutes. In many past cases, users reported that refreshing browsers, clearing cache or trying incognito mode temporarily bypassed the issue while the company worked behind the scenes.

For affected merchants, immediate workarounds include using the Shopify mobile app (if functional), switching browsers or devices, or accessing stores through alternative dashboards when available. Those processing high volumes of orders are advised to monitor payment gateways directly and communicate transparently with customers about any delays.

The broader context shows Shopify remains dominant in the e-commerce space despite occasional hiccups. The company has rolled out numerous improvements in 2026, including enhanced AI tools for merchants, better international payment options and platform updates aimed at reducing custom code dependencies. However, reliance on a single platform means any downtime draws immediate attention from the merchant community, which often amplifies reports on forums and social media.

Analysts note that Shopify’s infrastructure has grown more resilient since earlier widespread outages, but the complexity of supporting millions of stores with custom themes, apps and third-party integrations creates inherent challenges. Minor regional or intermittent issues can appear as “hundreds of users” affected without triggering a full platform-wide alert.

Shopify has not commented publicly on Wednesday’s reports. In previous incidents, the company typically posts updates on its status page and X account once an issue is confirmed and resolved. Merchants are encouraged to check shopifystatus.com regularly and subscribe to notifications for real-time alerts.

For small-business owners, these disruptions serve as a reminder of the importance of contingency planning. Experts recommend maintaining backup payment processors, exporting order data regularly and having communication templates ready for customers during technical difficulties. Diversifying across multiple sales channels, such as Amazon or physical retail, can also mitigate risk.

As the afternoon progressed, some users reported gradual improvement, with login success returning after repeated attempts. Others continued experiencing delays, suggesting the problem may have been intermittent or limited to specific regions or account types.

Shopify’s merchant community has grown vocal about uptime expectations. In online forums, users frequently discuss the balance between the platform’s ease of use and the occasional frustrations caused by technical issues. While major outages remain rare, even short disruptions during sales periods can feel significant to business owners operating on thin margins.

The company continues to expand globally, with strong adoption in emerging markets and among new entrepreneurs. Features introduced in the Winter 2026 edition, including advanced AI assistance and streamlined checkout flows, aim to make the platform more robust, but reliability remains a top priority for retaining user loyalty.

Wednesday’s scattered reports appear far smaller than past high-profile events, such as the March 2026 or December 2025 incidents that drew thousands of complaints. Still, for those locked out of their stores, the impact feels immediate and personal.

Merchants experiencing problems are advised to document error messages, note exact times and contact Shopify support through official channels. In many cases, support teams can provide account-specific guidance or expedite resolutions for Plus-level subscribers.

As e-commerce continues its rapid growth, platforms like Shopify face increasing pressure to deliver near-perfect uptime. Investors and analysts watch these incidents closely, as repeated reliability concerns could affect long-term confidence in the company’s infrastructure.

For now, the message to affected users remains consistent with previous minor glitches: check the official status page, try basic troubleshooting steps and allow time for engineering teams to address any underlying issues. Most disruptions of this nature resolve within a few hours, restoring normal operations without lasting damage.

Shopify has built its reputation on empowering entrepreneurs to sell online with minimal technical barriers. Occasional service hiccups test that reputation, reminding both the company and its users of the high stakes involved in powering millions of digital storefronts every day.

Anyone still unable to access their Shopify admin as of late Wednesday should continue monitoring the status page and community forums for updates. In the meantime, focusing on customer communication and alternative sales methods can help minimize any revenue impact from the temporary disruption.