NASA is poised to send astronauts around the moon and back for the first time in more than 50 years.
The space agency’s Artemis II mission will take the crew further than humans have ever ventured in space before.
The mission is planned for as soon as 6 February, but take-off depends on some pretty important factors.
Here is everything you need to know.
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What is the Artemis programme?
Artemis is NASA’s lunar exploration programme.
It aims to return humans to the moon for the first time since the last lunar landing in December 1972, which was the last mission of the Apollo programme.
The Artemis missions are part of NASA’s long-term plans to build a space station – called Lunar Gateway – where astronauts will be able to live and work and prepare for missions to Mars.
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Image: Buzz Aldrin, lunar module pilot for Apollo 11, during the first moon landing in 1969. Pic: Reuters
Artemis I launched in November 2022. It involved sending an empty Orion crew capsule to circle the moon to ultimately test NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
The programme is the pinnacle of renewed interest in the moon (after funding waned in the 1970s).
It is also America’s best effort to beat the likes of China in the space race to return to the moon.
The enormous rocket took a painstaking 11.5 hours to travel four miles from the hangar to the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
The rocket is taller than Big Ben – standing at 98m – and is in two main sections.
The core stage, which includes the fuel tanks, contains two million litres of hydrogen and 750 million litres of oxygen, frozen so that the gases become liquid.
When mixed and ignited, the chemical reaction produces vast amounts of steam that is forced out of the engine nozzles at 10,000mph.
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Image: NASA’s Space Launch System rocket with the Orion crew capsule. Pic: Reuters
Clamped to the core stage are two boosters. Just one of these produces the same thrust as 14 jumbo jets and together they produce 75% of the power in the first two minutes of flight.
Once the rocket reaches orbit, the boosters will fall away, leaving the upper stage containing the Orion crew capsule – which has everything the crew need to eat, sleep and exercise – to continue.
NASA says the SLS is the only rocket capable of sending astronauts, cargo and the Orion capsule directly to the moon in a single flight, but a mission like that doesn’t come cheap.
Image: The SLS rocket with the Orion crew capsule, travels towards the launch pad. Pic: Reuters
The SLS rocket programme has cost $23.8bn since its inception in 2011, according to data from the Planetary Society. The Orion space capsule has cost $20.4bn over 10 years since the programme started.
Coupled with the cost of ground infrastructure, NASA has spent a total of $49.9bn on the programme between 2006 and their first test launch in 2022.
The price tag per-launch is roughly $4bn, according to Space.com.
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Image: Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman speaks at Cape Canaveral. Pic: Reuters
What will happen during the mission?
During the 10-day mission, the crew on Artemis II will test life support, navigation and communication systems to confirm everything operates as it should in deep space.
Many of these tests will be completed while the capsule is still in the Earth’s orbit, so that the astronauts are closer to home in the event of anything going wrong.
The capsule will then enter Earth’s high orbit where the crew will manually pilot Orion before control is handed back to controllers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
The astronauts will then spend four days circling the moon, travelling approximately 4,600 miles beyond its far side before returning to Earth and splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
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How successful the mission is will be critical in bringing NASA one step closer to landing astronauts on the moon, the goal of Artemis III.
This third stage is currently aimed to launch in mid-2027.
Who will be on board?
Artemis II’s crew consists of three American astronauts and a Canadian.
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Scroll across and click on the squares to find out more about each astronaut.
On 23 January the crew entered quarantine – also known as the health stabilisation programme – which ensures they do not pick up any illness before take-off.
The astronauts typically start quarantine 14 days before a scheduled launch, but are able to come out again if it is cancelled – which could still happen in this case.
Image: The crew of Artemis II. Pic: NASA
What could delay the launch?
Weighing on the 6 February launch date is the outcome of a key wet dress rehearsal, which happens four days prior and simulates the launch countdown to catch any snags or issues before flight.
Artemis launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson told reporters in January that the wet dress is the “driver” of the launch schedule, adding: “You’re going to need a little bit of time to look at the data.”
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Crucial flaws during a test flight three years ago have already put Artemis II behind schedule.
The test flight in 2022, without humans on board, identified significant problems with the Orion crew capsule’s life support system and heat shield, which required design modifications to fix.
The weather could also be the critical factor between a launch or a delay.
NASA has a detailed weather criterion to consider factors including the temperature, wind, precipitation, lightning, clouds and solar activity, to check whether a launch is safe or not.
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If there is any rain, the launch will likely not go ahead.
When else could it launch?
Artemis II has three launch windows through to April, timed carefully with orbital mechanics to allow for a complex path around the moon and back.
If the 6 February is called off, the mission could take place on the following dates:
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• 7, 8,10,11 February • 6,7,8,9,11 March • 1,3,4,5,6,30 April
Mary Mandis of Yorkshire Rose Candles began making candles, wax melts, diffusers and room sprays in 2014, inspired by landmarks such as Roseberry Topping and Castle Howard.
It means she offers products with names like Sledmere, or they have a unique Yorkshire twist and being called By ‘Eck T’ Dog Reeks.
Mary said: “My products are aimed at people who love Yorkshire, whether they live here, holiday here or have an emotional connection to the area.
“Customers are often looking for something meaningful rather than just a generic candle, something that reminds them of a place, evokes a memory, or a moment.”
Mary, who makes her products at her Thirsk home, sells them online and to selected stockists.
Mary Mandis making candles (Image: pic supplied)
Initially, the former PA and recruitment consultant made them as a hobby for fun but after trying her first craft fair, Mary saw potential for a new career.
She told the Press: “I have always been into crafts and prior to Yorkshire Rose Candles, I had a small business making custom celebration cakes.
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“Candle making is not too different from making cakes, you are still picking your ingredients, mixing and waiting for the candle to set before lighting. But I enjoy making candles so much than baking cakes.”
Mary learnt along the way, watching videos on candle-making, learning by trial and error and attending business courses. Recently, this included attending a ‘Meet the Media’ event in York to gain tips on getting her story out there.
Mary Mandis in Thirsk (Image: Pic supplied)
Over the years, the business has expanded to include more in the way of wax melts, reed diffusers and room sprays.
But Mary says the business really started to take off in 2019 when she rebranded her packaging. It always had a ‘made in Yorkshire theme’ but she then named all her products after county placenames.
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This led to her most recent innovation, a set of three mini-candles called the North Yorkshire Moors Collection and the Yorkshire Dales Collection, with candles named after places in the area.
The best selling tin candles (Image: Pic supplied)
Mary said: “It is aimed as a giftable product perfect for someone who loves that area of Yorkshire and also a fabulous treat for yourself giving the option of 3 fragrances. I shall be expanding these gifts sets this year to include a Yorkshire Coast Collection and a Yorkshire Heritage Collection.”
Her best-selling bestselling product is tin candles, with North Yorkshire Moors Steam Train fragrance being the most purchased scent, followed by Wensleydale and Saltburn by the Sea.
She said: “They’re popular because they’re practical, affordable, and a great way for customers to experience the different Yorkshire-inspired scents.”
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More of the range (Image: Pic supplied)
Looking ahead, Mary plans to offer greeting cards and small prints representing Yorkshire, when she can find a local supplier.
She added: “Yorkshire Rose Candles started as a small idea and has gradually grown into a focused brand centred around Yorkshire-inspired products.”
For details, go to: www.yorkshirerosecandles.co.uk
*This month, York Press readers can gain 15% off any purchase with the code YP15.
Despite an upturn in form since the middle of February, Wolves are consigned to relegation as they begin the weekend 13 points from safety with seven matches remaining.
It would take an extraordinary events for Rob Edwards’ side to avoid the drop from this position, although they will move off the bottom of the table with a win by a three-goal margin at the London Stadium.
Therefore, seven cup finals remain for the Hammers to preserve their top-flight status and the incentive for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side is a win will lift them out of the relegation zone with London rivals Tottenham falling into the bottom three.
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That may only be temporary as Spurs have the chance to respond when they face Sunderland in Roberto De Zerbi’s first game as head coach, but the battle to avoid the drop is certainly heating up.
Here’s everything you need to know about where to watch…
How to watch West Ham vs Wolves
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports. Coverage starts at 7.30pm BST on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
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Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.
Intermittent road closures are planned in Bangor tonight
Rob Currell Live news reporter
19:50, 09 Apr 2026Updated 19:51, 09 Apr 2026
Detectives from the PSNI’s Collision Investigation Unit will revisit the scene of a fatal collision in Bangor tonight.
The tragic incident which took occurred in July 2025, is being re-examined as part of ongoing enquiries. Specialist officers will be in attendance between 9pm and 11pm tonight, Thursday, April 9.
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Intermittent road closures are expected during this time and additional police will also be present to assist with traffic management.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “The closures will affect the stretch between West Circular Road and the Newtownards Road roundabout, as well as the junction of West Circular Road and Clandeboye Road.”
‘The customer service is incredible, the bins massive, the queues non-existent’ said one fan of Woodhouse Lane household waste and recycling centre
A tip in Trafford has been getting ‘five star’ praise by users for its ‘wide bays’, ‘massive bins’ and lack of queues. Users of the Woodhouse Lane household waste and recycling centre in Altrincham have been singing the praises of the centre with some rave reviews being posted from those visiting.
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A recent Google review by Tom Kelly left nobody in doubt about his admiration for the waste centre. He said: “This is what’s known as a class 5 tip in the business. The customer service is incredible, the bins massive, the queues non-existent.
“Let me tell you, this is one of the good ones. Some days I come here just to watch the heavy duty equipment in operation and daydream about opening my own tip one day.”
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Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM)/Suez, who operate the Woodhouse Lane centre, responded to the feedback.
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Staff member Chloe said: “Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback with us. It’s truly valuable to us, and we’ve made sure to share it with our team internally.”
On the social media platform X, well known Greater Manchester tip connoisseur, Danny McMoomins, told his 34,000 followers he’d spotted the review while checking the tip’s closing time and the review had ‘made me chuckle’.
He added: “He’s not lying about Woodhouse Lane tip though. It’s an executive tip. If you’ve ever endured Stretford tip, it’s like day and night. Cars queuing back beyond the M60, forensic hectors with a few kills under their belt, overall unpleasant aesthetic.”
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In December 2024, Danny also offered a ‘pro-tip’ for… going to the tip.
“Just boxed off a tactical pre-Christmas tip run,” he said. “Nobody there except true household waste management experts, brought a tear to the eye.
“Nobody asking for advice. We all know the score. Clinical separation. A knowing nod to each other and we were all on our way.”
Another recent five-star review of Woodhouse Lane waste centre was also full of praise for the staff, who helped a motorist when his car battery failed during a visit.
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The reviewer said: “What could have been a total disaster was sorted in about an hour. The staff are cheerful, helpful, and clearly have great relationships with their regular users.
“It’s a fantastic, well-run site with a team that truly cares. Highly recommended.”
Last month, it was revealed a new rule will come in at tips across Greater Manchester which could see people turned away. People will soon be asked to prove they live in the region, by showing identification with a council tax bill or other document.
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The measure, approved by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority waste committee, is aimed at stopping people from outside the region using household waste and recycling sites.
Tips have seen increased numbers of visitors who live elsewhere, bosses say. That, in turn, drives up costs for councils to deliver services and adds traffic.
Councillors were briefed on the findings of a feasibility study
Proposals to make Swansea’s foreshore and the land behind it more appealing with extra event spaces, artwork, beach huts and potentially padel courts have been revealed.
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The study commissioned by Swansea Council also felt there was real scope to increase what’s on offer at Blackpill Lido and Singleton Park Boating Lake.
The Swansea Bay foreshore feasibility study examined the approximately three-mile stretch between West Pier, Swansea Marina, and Blackpill and didn’t include sites where major plans were already moving forward such as the redevelopment of the Civic Centre.
The study identified opportunities to increase tourism and revenue opportunities by making more of the foreshore which, it felt, lacked vibrancy and facilities. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here
Nearly 800 people provided feedback to the study, a council committee heard. More eateries, toilets, seating, barbecue areas, viewing platforms, public art plus better beach access and more parking spaces were important for people, along with an expanded Swansea Bay Rider Land Train service.
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It’s early days and the proposals are just that at the moment. Bringing them to fruition in the future would require funding.
Steve Hopkins, the council’s strategic manager for tourism, marketing and special events, said: “Yes it’s a beautiful stretch but it does need more facilities.”
The study identified potential padel courts on land near the boating lake along with kiosk upgrades, new terraced banks and planting.
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Further west at Blackpill Lido it envisaged upgrading the birdwatching building with a viewing observatory, a new event space and also a new bridge for walkers and cyclists crossing the Clyne River between Mumbles Road and where it flows onto the beach.
The study report before the economy and infrastructure service transformation committee also recommended a widened promenade and a “fast” and “slow” route demarcation.
Cllr Mike White described Swansea’s beach and foreshore as “absolutely tremendous” and asked if log cabins, lookouts and organised volleyball were in the mix. Mr Hopkins said lookouts were being considered and that there was potential for volleyball at Swansea Bay Sports Park, which is along the three-mile stretch.
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Committee chairman Cllr Phil Downing welcomed the report but sought reassurance that commercial opportunities which may arise wouldn’t undermine footfall in the city centre.
Tracey McNulty, head of cultural services, parks and cleansing, said: “At this moment the proposals are very much about improving things gently rather than building new things.”
In answer to a question by Cllr White she also said the feasibility study hadn’t included the Slip Bridge site.
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The committee also heard Mumbles wasn’t included as a major project to rebuild the seawall and improve the promenade had recently been completed.
Tyson Fury will face Russian boxer Arslanbek Makhmudov exclusively on Netflix and there’s a way to stream the fight live without having to pay for a subscription.
Jake Hackney Senior Consumer Writer
06:47, 10 Apr 2026
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Tyson Fury returns to the ring this weekend for his hotly-anticipated fight with Russian boxer Arslanbek Makhmudov. After hanging up his gloves for a fifth time 14 months ago, ‘The Gypsy King’ announced his comeback to face the so-called ‘knockout artist’ in his first bout in Britain for nearly four years.
Two-time heavyweight champion Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) will go 12 rounds with Makhmudov (21-2, 19 KOs) on Saturday, April 11, at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Fury has bested some of the biggest names in boxing’s modern era, including Deontay Wilder, Francis Ngannou and Wladimir Klitschko, but Saturday’s fight will mark his first since the defeat to WBC champion Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024.
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In his pre-fight press conference earlier this month, Fury said: “If I fight a pudding, I don’t get turned on by that. I have to fight somebody dangerous to make me want to even train, make me want to even take it seriously.
“So now I know I’ve got a dangerous knockout artist in front of me. I’m looking forward to coming here, putting on a real show, and most of all, I’m looking forward to punching his face right in.”
Fury isn’t the only British boxer in the ring on Saturday as a stacked card also includes Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis as a co-headliner. With Fury vs Makhmudov now hours away, we’ve found a way to watch the fight for free.
When is Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov?
The Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov main card will get underway at 7pm on Saturday, April 11. The Fury and Makhmudov ringwalks are expected to begin around 10.30pm.
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Earlier in the day, the preliminary card kicks off proceedings at 3.30pm, with Benn vs Prograis expected to fight around 9.30pm.
Watch Fury vs Makhmudov with free Netflix subscription
Tyson Fury has come out of retirement to face Russian boxer Arslanbek Makhmudov in a heavyweight clash in London on April 11. The fight will stream live on Netflix, which fans can get for free with Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle or £24 Ultimate TV bundle, the latter of which also includes HBO Max and Disney+.
How to watch Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov without paying for Netflix
Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov will air exclusively on Netflix, with access included at no extra cost with each subscription tier. However, Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its TV streaming packages, some of which also include HBO Max and Disney+.
While the £15 Essential TV bundle includes Netflix at no extra cost, the new £24 Ultimate TV bundle includes Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels. Sky says these five streaming subscriptions are worth around £240 a year, with those securing the deal able to tune into Fury vs Makhmudov at no extra cost.
Keep in mind there’s no sports coverage of the Premier League, Formula 1 or The Masters included with the deal, but Sky Sports can be added to the Ultimate TV bundle for an additional £20. Virgin Media also gives away free Netflix access with its rival packages such as the £34.99 Entertainment bundle, which also comes with 362Mbps broadband and more than 200 TV channels.
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A caveat is that both Sky and Virgin require 24-month contracts to secure these deals. Netflix’s coverage of the fight will be hosted by Elle Duncan alongside Lennox Lewis, Laila Ali, and Carl Froch, with commentary from Mauro Ranallo, David Haye and Andre Ward.
“When I got in Everton’s first team, I’ve said it many times, I felt like I was the best player at 16.”
For Littler, his moment of realisation came when he was beating players more than double his age.
“I’ve been playing tournament-wise for many years, maybe my first proper tournament was at like nine, maybe 10,” he said. “And just like Wayne said, when you’ve showed a bit of arrogance, the more you do it, obviously people might not like it, but as long as you feel comfortable about doing it, that’s all that matters.
“When I started playing in pub leagues I started playing against adults. They weren’t happy losing to a 10 or 11-year-old.
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“When I was beating them, I was going to the darts academy in St Annes as well, and I think the younger players in there were better than these old men. I was pretty much winning all the time.”
The spotlight on Littler only got brighter when he won BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2024, 22 years after Rooney did.
“The press can be mind boggling – you’re not used to it,” said Rooney.
“And [coming] from a similar area as I imagine to where Luke is from, you’re not used to that.
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“You’re not used to media, you’re not used to talking in front of cameras and, and it can be intimidating, but one thing which is always remains is your safe place.
“Mine was on the football pitch and I would imagine where he’s comfortable is on the oche where he’s playing, that’s where no one can get to him. He’s safe – they can write what they want.”
Littler has started to draw more criticism over the past year or so, most recently following a mid-match spat with Gian van Veen during a quarter-final defeat on night nine of the Premier League in Manchester.
“When I first came on the scene, we were always looking at comments and everything, normally family, but now we just get used to it and just block it out,” he said.
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“There’s always negativity with I think not only darts and football, every sport. Not everyone is going to like you and that’s just that’s just the way it is.
“Obviously the fans that pay the tickets, pay the money to watch us in person… I think obviously they do mean the most because obviously they want to watch us play good darts.
“But with the media – and bringing social media into it for the first time after the first [World Championship win in 2025] – it was hard to not bite back at people. But now it’s just: Just leave it. We’ve gotten used to it.”
PSNI said: “We will relentlessly pursue those that are trying to delay or deny justice to victims of crime”
Rob Currell Live news reporter
06:30, 10 Apr 2026
A 29-year-old man was extradited from Germany to Northern Ireland to face charges dating back eight years.
He is wanted to stand trial in Northern Ireland for one offence of robbery and one offence of possession of an offensive weapon.
The offences occurred in the Portrush area during November 2018. The male was granted bail at Antrim Crown Court on March 29, 2023 and failed to show up for his trial on September 11, 2023 when a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Sergeant Davey from the International Policing Unit said: “Today’s extradition demonstrates our commitment to tracking down fugitives wanted here in Northern Ireland. In this case we worked closely with national and international partners to locate, arrest and extradite this fugitive.
“Our message is clear to anyone who has skipped bail or left Northern Ireland to avoid the consequences of their actions. We will relentlessly pursue those that are trying to delay or deny justice to victims of crime.”
The suspect was arrested by police in Essen, Germany, on January 22, 2026, following an extradition warrant from Coleraine detectives. The process was finalised today, Thursday, April 9, with his successful return to Northern Ireland.
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He is expected to appear before Antrim Crown Court on Friday April 10.
In 2025, Kyle Winchester’s (Huey Quinn) mum Amy Wyatt (Natalie Ann Jamieson) died during the catastrophic limo crash. As a result of this traumatic death, the Emmerdale youngster is now terrified about losing other members of his family.
Earlier this year, when Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) told his sons about his cancer diagnosis, Kyle’s first thought was that he was going to die like his mum.
Cain did his best to reassure him despite not actually knowing how his future is going to play out. Earlier this week, Kyle found Cain lying unconscious in the road after being hit by a car, and fear led him to believe once again that his dad was going to die.
Amid his worries about his dad’s cancer, Kyle is also aware there’s a very high chance Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb) is going to go to prison for the rest of her life. In upcoming episodes, his anxiety over losing his step-mum leads to Kyle running away from the family home.
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Kyle fears losing his dad Cain to cancer (Picture: ITV)
The search to find the lad is led by Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller), but Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) eventually finds Kyle, who explains that he overheard Moira’s plan to plead guilty at the trial.
His guilt increasing over the fact he helped frame Moira in the first place, Robert vows to make things right.
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Later, Aaron is stunned when Robert says that he’s going to turn himself in for Moira.
Moira’s loved ones make a major discovery (Picture: ITV)
Robert agrees to stay at Butler’s one more night. The next day, everything changes as Kammy Hadiq (Shebz Miah) manages to trace Ray’s old car number plate to a storage unit in Hotten.
Fortunately, Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock) remembers that all-important HSU107 key from Celia’s farm. The group open the door to the unit, and find what appears to be loads of new evidence.
But will it be enough to save Moira?
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