NASA launched its Artemis II mission, sending astronauts into orbit around Earth. It is the first crewed Moon mission in nearly 50 years. Astronaut Reid Wiseman said, “We go for all humanity,” during liftoff. The launch was powerful and smooth. The spacecraft will stay in Earth’s orbit for about 24 hours. The crew will carry out system checks during this time. Officials said the crew is “safe, secure and in great spirits”. If checks go well, the mission will move toward the Moon. The 10-day mission will circle the Moon but not land. (PC: BBC)

Global markets fell after Donald Trump warned Iran of an “extremely hard” strike. Oil prices rose sharply as fears of a wider war grew. Brent crude jumped over 6% to about $107 per barrel. US crude also saw a strong rise after his speech. Trump said US military goals would be met “very shortly”. But he warned of more action if no deal is reached. Indian markets dropped in early trade. Sensex fell nearly 2%, while Nifty also declined. Trump said countries using the Strait of Hormuz must “take care of that passage”. Bitcoin and other digital assets also slipped after the remarks. (PC: HT)

An oil painting by Raja Ravi Varma has set a new auction record in India. ‘Yashoda and Krishna’ sold for Rs 167.2 crore at a Mumbai auction. It was bought by industrialist Cyrus Poonawalla after a short bidding war. The price is higher than the earlier record held by MF Husain’s ‘Untitled (Gram Yatra)’. The painting was expected to sell for much less. Poonawalla said the work is a “national treasure”. He added it should be shown to the public. Painted in the 1890s, the artwork shows Yashoda with child Krishna in a quiet home scene. (PC: India Today)

Lionel Messi broke down in tears during his final match on home soil as Argentina national football team defeated Zambia 5-0 in a friendly at La Bombonera. The 38-year-old scored once and assisted Julián Álvarez, taking his international tally to 116 goals and 902 career strikes. The emotional night marked a likely farewell before the FIFA World Cup 2026, where he is expected to make his final appearance. Moved by fans’ chants, Messi acknowledged the moment’s significance. Argentina, the defending champions, now prepare for the tournament aiming to retain their title with their iconic captain leading one last campaign.

Indian benchmark indices BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 plunged sharply after Donald Trump warned of intensified military action against Iran, denting investor sentiment. The Sensex fell over 1,300 points while Nifty dropped significantly in early trade, tracking global market weakness. Trump’s remarks reduced hopes of de-escalation, triggering a risk-off mood across equities. Rising geopolitical tensions pushed Brent crude prices up nearly 5% above $105 per barrel, raising concerns over inflation and India’s import bill. Broad-based selling hit most sectors, while foreign investors continued heavy outflows. Analysts say uncertainty over the conflict, oil prices, and currency pressure will keep markets volatile in the near term. (PC: India Today)

NASA successfully launched the Artemis II from Kennedy Space Center, sending four astronauts on the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years. The powerful Space Launch System rocket lifted off after a brief delay, overcoming technical concerns during final checks. Commander Reid Wiseman led the multinational crew, including astronauts from the US and Canada, on a roughly 10-day mission to orbit the Moon without landing. The launch marks a major milestone in human spaceflight, reviving lunar exploration ambitions and paving the way for future Moon landings and eventual missions to Mars under NASA’s Artemis programme.

A viral TikTok video by San Diego-based dancer Charm Daze has triggered debate over operational security and troop morale amid the Iran war. She claimed young US soldiers visiting clubs near bases appeared “depressed” and revealed upcoming deployments, sparking concerns about potential leaks of sensitive information. The video fuelled speculation of escalating US military action, as deployments reportedly increase under Donald Trump’s administration. Critics warned such disclosures could compromise security, while others highlighted the emotional toll on troops. The situation unfolds alongside growing domestic opposition, with polls indicating many Americans favour ending involvement in the conflict despite ongoing military preparations.

Indian sailors, including Ketan Mehta and Captain Vijay Kumar, endured detention and war in Iran after their tanker MT Valiant Roar was seized on December 8 over unproven smuggling allegations. Held for around 50 days, they were released on February 26, only to face escalating conflict. Stranded in Bandar Abbas, the crew received evacuation advice from Indian authorities. With limited options, they undertook a risky 2,000-kilometre road journey to Armenia amid missile strikes, waited days for clearance, then flew via Dubai to India. They reached Mumbai on March 29, crediting Indian missions for crucial support during their ordeal. (PC: Times Now)

Masoud Pezeshkian issued an open letter to Americans amid the ongoing conflict, rejecting claims that Iran poses a security threat and asserting that the country has never initiated war in modern history. He described Iran as a long-standing civilisation focused on self-defence rather than aggression. Pezeshkian blamed strained relations on US actions, including the 1953 coup, support for the Shah, backing Iraq in the 1980s war, sanctions, and recent military strikes. He argued that American military presence around Iran fuels instability and questioned the purpose of the war. The letter urged Americans to look beyond political narratives and consider diplomacy over continued confrontation.

Russian photographer Julia Buruleva has launched a support petition for herself after backlash over a photoshoot involving Chanchal, a 65-year-old elephant painted pink in Jaipur in November 2025. The elephant died weeks later in February, sparking outrage online. Buruleva denied any link between the shoot and the death, stating the elephant died of old age and accusing media of spreading misinformation. The owner also claimed only organic gulaal was used briefly. Despite her defence and claims of receiving threats, social media users criticised the act, arguing the elderly animal was exploited and subjected to unnecessary stress for artistic content.