CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The Artemis II astronauts have captured our blue planet’s brilliant beauty as they zoom ever closer to the moon.

NASA released the crew’s first downlinked images Friday, 1 1/2 days into the first astronaut moonshot in more than half a century.

The first photo taken by commander Reid Wiseman shows a curved slice of Earth in one of the capsule’s windows. The second shows the entire globe with the oceans topped by swirling white tendrils of clouds.

As of midmorning Friday, Wiseman and his crew were 90,000 miles (145,000 kilometers) from Earth and were quickly gaining on the moon with another 168,000 miles (270,000 kilometers) to go. They should reach their destination on Monday.

The three Americans and one Canadian will swing around the moon in their Orion capsule, hang a U-turn and then head straight back home without stopping. They fired Orion’s main engine Thursday night that set them on their course.

They’re the first lunar travelers since Apollo 17 in 1972.

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The F-35 fighter jet is understood to have been struck over central Iran with state media sharing images online of what appeared to be American aircraft in the area including helicopters and drones

A United States fighter jet has been brought down over Iran, with state broadcasters reporting the pilots managed to eject.

The F-35 combat aircraft is believed to have been hit over central Iran, with state media subsequently posting footage online appearing to show American military hardware in the vicinity, including helicopters, aircraft and drones.

Two aviators are understood to have been aboard the jet and their whereabouts remain unknown.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced that a second F-35 fighter jet was eliminated using an advanced defence system of the IRGC Aerospace Force and the aircraft was from the Lakenheath squadron.

During the conflict, Iran has issued numerous assertions about downing manned enemy jets which proved to be false. However, Friday marked the first occasion that Iran broadcast a televised appeal to the public to search for a suspected downed airman, reports the Mirror.

Several US media outlets and sources have verified the reports, following the initial assertions in Iranian press.

A public appeal for assistance indicates the Iranian military, police and security forces have a limited footprint in the rural territory that covers more than 15,500 square kilometres (5,900 square miles).

The province is predominantly inhabited by Iran’s Lur population, with many working in agriculture. The far south of the province marks the beginning of Iran’s oil reserves in the region. The Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency shared footage on its Telegram channel showing a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, which it alleged was involved in a US search and rescue mission connected to the downed aircraft.

The post stated: “America’s attempt to free its downed fighter pilot has failed. Sources told Tasnim’s reporter in Kohgiluyeh that the Americans, starting an hour ago, conducted a search operation using Black Hawk helicopters and a Hercules 130 to free their fighter pilot who was shot down by Iran’s armed forces; however, their efforts have failed.”

The US military has not yet responded to these claims from Iranian media. Yesterday evening, CENTCOM, the US military command overseeing the region, posted on X dismissing an earlier Iranian assertion that a fighter had been brought down over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz as “false”.

Almost a fortnight ago, a US F-35 fighter jet carried out an emergency landing following damage from what was believed to be hostile fire.

The 1928 coin was uncovered during nursery building works at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School in Shotton Colliery.

Reception pupils Mirabel and Lester, both five, described the coin as “treasure” and said they were “thrilled” by the find.

1928 coin uncovered during nursery building works (Image: Supplied)

Lester said: “It was so exciting to find treasure!”

Lynsey Wetherell, EYFS lead at the school, said: “This remarkable discovery coincides with the very year our school was established, making it a piece of history that holds special significance for us.”

The King George V penny prompted conversations about life in Shotton Colliery a century ago, with pupils imagining who might have held the coin and what the area once looked like.

1928 coin uncovered during nursery building works (Image: Supplied)

Ms Wetherell said: “This discovery has not only brought history to life for our students but also connected our past with our future as we continue building our nursery.

“Finding such a piece of history on our school grounds is a wonderful reminder of our roots and the stories waiting to be discovered.

“It was a lovely reminder of the hidden stories beneath our feet, leaving everyone curious about what other treasures might still lie undiscovered.”

The school’s new purpose-built nursery is set to open in Autumn 2026 and will offer flexible 15 and 30-hour places for children aged three and above.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School is part of the Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust.

To learn more about nursery places, email office@ourladylourdesdurham.org.

Details about the trust are available at www.bccet.org.uk.

For Harry Potter fans eagerly awaiting HBO’s new TV adaptation, the streamer is preparing to air a behind-the-scenes teaser to tide them over.

This weekend, months before the series’ Christmas Day debut, the streamer will release a standalone special, Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic.

“Told through the lens of the artists, craftspeople, and technicians bringing J.K. Rowling’s beloved books to life for a new generation,” it will offer “an in-depth look at the making of the first season,” a press release states.

Narrated by Nick Frost, who plays Rubeus Hagrid in the show, the exclusive will also feature interviews with key cast members, including John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, and Paapa Essiedu, who star as Albus Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape, respectively.

In a trailer for the special, released Thursday, a set designer standing beside a mock of the Hogwarts castle says: “To play in a sandbox this big, it really is incredible. We’re adding a level of world-building beyond what the audience is familiar with.”

Each season of the series will be based on one of Rowling’s seven books, with the first eight-episode season covering the events of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

It will welcome young newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, 12, Alastair Stout, 12, and Arabella Stanton, 11, as the leading trio Harry, Ron and Hermione. All three are reportedly being paid £500,000 for the first season, with a source recently telling The Sun that they are “on track to be multi-millionaires before they turn 18.”

Last week, HBO dropped the first trailer for the highly anticipated show, offering a glimpse of Harry’s journey from living under the stairs to discovering a new world as the Boy Who Lived. The two-minute clip became the most-watched HBO trailer in history. It amassed more than 277 million organic views across platforms in its first 48 hours online.

Yet numerous fans expressed similar disappointment at the lack of spells and magical creatures shown in the first footage.

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“There is nothing special about Harry Potter — at least that’s what his Aunt Petunia always says. On his 11th birthday, a letter of admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opens up a hidden world for Harry: one of fun, friendship and magic. But with this new adventure comes great risk as Harry is forced to face a dangerous enemy from his past,” reads an official season one logline.

Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic will stream April 5 at 8 p.m. GMT/3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT on HBO Max.

Sunderland City Council’s planning and highways committee this week refused plans for land at Mulberry Way in the city’s Houghton ward.

Persimmon Homes were seeking permission for 58 homes with “associated access, landscaping, open space” and a “sustainable urban drainage system.”

During a council consultation exercise there was significant public opposition, with around 122 formal objections and a 151-signature petition.

Public concerns listed in a council report included loss of greenspace,  highway safety, flood risk, wildlife impacts and the developer’s “violation of previous planning promises.”

The site formed part of a larger development granted in 2001 which included a condition which developers Persimmon “failed to fulfil”, council documents state.

A council report said developers were now “immune” from council enforcement action due to the time that had passed but noted developers “wished to mitigate the failure to provide children’s open space/informal recreation area and meadow space offsite”.

However, council planners said it was “premature” to consider housing plans until the “outstanding issue” had been addressed, adding the new application  would “result in a loss of open play space for existing residents of the adjacent estate.”

The application came before the planning and highways committee on Monday (March 30) and planning officers recommended the housing be refused.

Reasons included the historic play park issue, access worries and concerns about flood risk and ecology assessments.

Members of the public and Houghton councillors John Price and Mark Burrell spoke against the plans at City Hall.

A planning agent for Persimmon also requested the “gift of time” to address planning issues and agree details of improvements to the nearby Keir Hardie Park.

Councillors later voted to refuse the housing plans, however the decision can be appealed.

A Persimmon Homes spokesperson said it was disappointing that developers had “not been able to find a way forward” with the council to “deliver much needed new housing”.

They said they had engaged with local councillors and residents on plans to “invest in the play park at the nearby Keir Hardie Park” and added it was “disappointing that time has not allowed for these plans to be presented and for the other matters to be resolved.”

For more information, visit the council’s planning portal website and search for reference 25/01316/FUL

It brings the total number of arrests in connection with the disorder to 17.

Four more people have been arrested in connection with disorder among Rangers and Celtic fans at Ibrox Stadium.

Ugly scenes broke out following the Scottish Cup Final on Sunday, March 8. It saw flares fired into the midst of fans, while supporters, police officers and those working at the stadium came under attack.

A steward was seen being carried from the pitch, believed to have been injured in the chaos, and a number of people were pictured receiving medical treatment. The most recent arrests bring the total number to be made under the operation to 11.

Following the match, Celtic striker Tomáš Čvančara, who scored the winning penalty for his side, was interviewed for TV wearing a blood-stained shirt. He had been photographed intervening in an incident on the field. A member of Celtic’s coaching staff was also reportedly attacked. There was also violence outside of the stadium following the game.

Operation Moonglint was subsequently launched by Police Scotland to trace those responsible. Police have confirmed four further men, aged 20, 26, 30 and 47, were arrested and charged and have been released on an undertaking to appear at court at a later date.

It brings the total number of arrests in connection with the disorder to 17.

Police say inquiries to trace those responsible are ongoing.

Detective Chief Inspector David Lamont said: “Extensive inquiries remain ongoing to identify and trace those involved. We will ensure those involved in acts of violence and disorder will face the consequences of their actions that day. Further arrests will be made.”

Anyone with information can call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Information can also be sent directly to the investigation team.

The Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) is a website that gives the public access to a form to pass information, images and footage directly to the Major Investigation Team and can be accessed here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/SCOT26G03-PO1

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Lamerd, a town in southern Iran, came under attack on 28 February. CCTV footage published by Iranian state media – which was authenticated and geolocated by BBC Verify – showed a munition moments before it exploded above a residential area. Experts identified it as likely being a US missile, based on its appearance, the size of the blast and the distance from potential US launch sites in the Middle East.

The vacant plot of land off Kestor Street in The Haulgh formerly housed Bolton Parish Primary School before they moved to their current school on Chadwick Street.

A design and access statement submitted by RA Design and Project Management said that “existing access into the site is tight” and “a dropped kerb will make access easier in the future”.

They continued: “There is no firm plan for the site but several prospective future users have commented that the access is too narrow”.

They have proposed dropping the kerb and widening the entry gate to make the site easier for future occupiers to use.

Bolton Council’s town planning officers agreed with the proposal which they said “would not have any significant impact upon the visual amenity of the area”.

In their report, they said the area is predominantly in commercial and industrial use “with commercial fencing visible along Kestor Street”.

Officers were called to Northumberland Road on Thursday (April 2) at around 3.30am. 

A cordon was erected as white-suited investigators probed the semi-detached home later on Thursday, with pictures showing how the property had two smashed windows. 

No injuries were reported during the incident, although people were inside at the time. 

Cleveland Police has today (Friday, April 3) confirmed no arrests have yet been made and the investigation remains ongoing. 

(Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Crime scene investigators were seen wearing white suits with blue masks and gloves on Thursday within one of three police cordons set up along the road. 

The road was fully blocked off at the junction with Thornaby Road, where an officer was standing guard beside a police van. 

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Pringle, from Stockton CID said: “At 3.30am on Thursday, April 2, police received reports of a firearm being discharged towards a property on Northumberland Road in Thornaby.

“While occupants were inside the property at the time, there were no injuries reported.

“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information, dash cam or doorbell footage is asked to call Cleveland Police on 101 quoting reference number 060930.”

The wind alert will now be in place until 7am on Easter Sunday, with the forecasters warning of possible disruption across Darlington and County Durham over the weekend.

Storm Dave will move in towards the North East during Saturday evening (April 4), bringing gusts of up to 50 to 60 mph and up to 60 to 70 mph in more exposed locations.

The spell of very strong winds later on Saturday and overnight into Sunday morning could lead to damage and travel disruption.

Where will be affected?

The yellow weather warning runs from Saturday 5pm until Easter Sunday 7am (extended from Saturday evening) and applies to the following areas in the North East, including:

· Darlington
· Durham
· Gateshead
· Newcastle upon Tyne
· North Tyneside
· Northumberland
· South Tyneside
· Sunderland

Forecasters rate the potential impact of the weather warning as medium, with the likelihood of the disruption being “very low.”

The Met Office said: “A rapidly deepening area of low pressure, Storm Dave, is likely to move North Eastwards close to or across northwestern parts of the UK during Saturday evening and night, clearing to the North Sea by Sunday.

“While there is some uncertainty over the exact track, intensity and shape of this area of low pressure, a period of strong west to south-westerly winds is expected during Saturday night and into the first part of Easter Sunday, before gradually easing through the day.

“Peak gusts of 50-60 mph will be possible fairly widely, with 60-70 mph in more exposed locations.”