Iran has formally turned down a proposal from the United States for a 48-hour ceasefire, according to Al Jazeera, citing reports from the semi-official Fars news agency. The refusal highlights a continued hardening of Tehran's position amidst the current regional situation. The diplomatic overture was reportedly conveyed on Wednesday through an intermediary nation. Al Jazeera noted that the specific country acting as a middleman has "not been named" in the original source report, which cited a source regarding the back-channel communication. The collapse of these diplomatic efforts coincides with a sharp escalation in military hostilities. American forces have successfully retrieved a crew member from a US fighter jet that was brought down over Iran, according to a report by CNN, citing three sources familiar with the situation. The rescued individual is reportedly alive and has been placed "in US custody and receiving medical treatment," as confirmed by two of the sources. However, while one person has been recovered, the fate of the second crew member remains uncertain. CNN reported that "search and rescue operations were ongoing" following the loss of the aircraft over Iranian territory. Technical details provided by a US source confirmed that the downed plane was an "F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet." This specific model is a dual-role aircraft designed to execute both "air-to-air and air-to-ground missions." As noted by CNN, these aircraft are traditionally operated by a two-person team consisting of a pilot and a weapon systems officer. Military officials continue to monitor the situation as the search for the remaining personnel persists. The search and rescue effort followed initial reports from multiple news outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, confirming the aircraft was shot down. CNN's analysis of images released by Iranian media verified that the wreckage matches an F-15, while The Wall Street Journal cited Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, which first reported on Friday that the jet had been targeted. Furthering these claims, IRIB shared a map on X (formerly Twitter), circling the specific region where the hunt for the two American pilots has been conducted since the morning hours. While the exact crash site remains unconfirmed, CNN geolocated footage from a bridge over the Karoon River in Khuzestan Province, roughly 470 km south of Tehran, showing low-flying aircraft and helicopters in a formation typical of air-to-air refuelling operations. This incident marks the first time a US aircraft has been downed over Iran during the current conflict. US outlet Axios also confirmed the rescue mission was underway, as Iranian media began circulating photographs of debris, including a tail fin, which appeared to identify the jet as belonging to the 494th Fighter Squadron 'LN' based at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. Despite the published evidence of the wreckage and the ongoing search, the US military and the White House have not yet officially commented on the status of the pilots or the circumstances of the crash. IRIB continues to maintain that the "fate of the pilots is currently unclear" as the situation develops. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
04 April,2026 03:40 PM IST | Tehran | ANIThe Islamic Resistance, an umbrella body of Iran-backed militia, has carried out 19 drone and missile attacks targeting the United States' bases in Iraq and in the region on Friday (local time), Al Jazeera reported. The Iran-backed militia has been attacking US bases in West Asia amid the ongoing conflict between the two nations. Meanwhile, an Iraqi police source told Al Jazeera that there's been an attack against the Iran-backed Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF)'s headquarters in al-Qaim in western Iraq. An air raid was also reported on the headquarters of the 34th Brigade of the PMF in Mosul. Shia military factions The Islamic Resistance and the PMF, have been part of several proxy wars in the region. Baghdad US Embassy issues security alert Earlier on Thursday, the Baghdad US Embassy issued a security alert, warning that Iran-aligned militia groups may be planning attacks in central Baghdad. In a post on X, the embassy cautioned that such groups "may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours," raising concerns over the safety of US citizens and installations in Iraq. According to the advisory, "Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist militias have conducted widespread attacks against US citizens and targets associated with the United States throughout Iraq, including in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR)." The embassy warned that potential targets could include US citizens, businesses, universities, diplomatic facilities, energy infrastructure, hotels, airports, and other locations perceived to be associated with the United States. The alert also highlighted the risk of kidnappings, noting that " terrorist militias have targeted Americans for kidnapping." "The Iraqi government has not prevented terrorist attacks in or from Iraqi territory," the embassy stated, adding that some Iran-aligned militia groups may claim affiliation with Iraqi authorities and could "carry identification denoting their status as Iraqi government employees." Embassy, in an X post, also asked the public to provide information on the militias involved in attacks in Baghdad. "Help us stop the terrorist attacks against the United States Embassy in Baghdad or anywhere else. If you have any information about the Iran-allied terrorist militias or about the individuals responsible for these attacks, send it to us today," the Baghdad US Embassy wrote. (With inputs from ANI)
04 April,2026 03:29 PM IST | Baghdad | mid-day online correspondentAmidst the ongoing maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to hostile vessels, a senior Iranian legislator has suggested that Tehran could further escalate pressure on its adversaries by targeting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, hinted at the potential for significant disruption in a series of questions posted on the social media platform X on Friday. His remarks come as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to exert intense economic and logistical strain on international shipping. Raising the stakes regarding global supply chain vulnerabilities, Ghalibaf questioned the extent of the world's reliance on the passage. He asked, "What share of global oil, LNG, wheat, rice, and fertiliser shipments transits the Bab el-Mandeb Strait?" The Speaker further suggested that specific nations and corporate entities might be particularly exposed to such a strategic move. "Which countries and companies account for the highest transit volumes through the strait?" the post continued, implying that the Islamic Republic is evaluating the most impactful ways to exert leverage. What share of global oil, LNG, wheat, rice, and fertilizer shipments transits the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait?Which countries and companies account for the highest transit volumes through the strait? đ€ — Ù ŰÙ ŰŻŰšŰ§Ù۱ ÙۧÙÛŰšŰ§Ù | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 3, 2026 This strategic posturing on the maritime front coincides with a major escalation on the battlefield. Iranian and allied forces have launched "Wave 93" of a sustained retaliatory campaign, striking critical Israeli military staging grounds deep within the occupied territories, state broadcaster Press TV reported. The strikes are described as a direct response to recent hostilities, marking a significant escalation in the regional confrontation. According to a statement from the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), carried by Press TV, this latest phase of "Operation True Promise 4" was carried out on Friday afternoon. The mission targeted strategic locations in the north and the heart of the occupied territories, with the IRGC dedicating the actions to Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah and Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who were two of the most prominent leaders of Islamist "resistance" movements against Israel in the Middle East. The "fierce assault" reportedly saw Zionist troop gatherings and combat support hubs in Western Galilee, Haifa, Kafr Kanna, and Krayot "precisely hit." Press TV noted that the operation was designed to degrade the military capabilities of the forces stationed in these sectors through highly coordinated strikes. IRGC confirms it was a joint endeavour with the Islamic Resistance Detailing the technical aspects of the raid, the IRGC confirmed it was a joint endeavour with the Islamic Resistance. The wave utilised a "combination of solid and liquid fuel missiles, long-range and guided, and suicide drones," with the military command vowing that the launches "will continue continuously, uninterruptedly, and shot after shot." This "sweeping strike" follows the events of 28 February, when an offensive was launched against Iran that resulted in the death of the former Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and several high-ranking military officials. Press TV highlighted that Tehran views these retaliatory measures as a legitimate defence of its national sovereignty. The counter-offensive also addresses what Tehran describes as the deliberate targeting of Iran's energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. Press TV reported that previous actions by opposing forces led to the deaths of hundreds of Iranian citizens, including approximately 170 children at a primary school in Minab. The IRGC maintained that these "successful retaliatory strikes" have "inflicted heavy losses" on both Washington and Tel Aviv. Press TV stated that the precision of the latest operations has "demonstrated the futility" of the military posturing maintained by the United States and Israel in the region. (With inputs from ANI)
04 April,2026 03:29 PM IST | Tehran | mid-day online correspondentA US A-10 aircraft has been hit by Iranian air defences, Iranian state media reported, citing Iran's Army public relations office. The Associated Press reported earlier that a second US Air Force combat aircraft went down in the Middle East on Friday. No further details were immediately available, including the whereabouts of the pilot. The Pentagon and White House did not comment immediately. The A-10, also known by its nickname “Warthog,” is a single-seat aircraft. According to a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation, a second US Air Force combat aircraft went down in the Middle East on Friday. It is not clear whether the aircraft crashed or was shot down, or if Iran was involved. The status of the crew and the location of the aircraft were also not immediately known, the official said. Earlier, The New York Times reported that the second aircraft had gone down. Also on Friday, a US fighter jet was shot down in Iran, and one crew member was rescued. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 April,2026 02:03 PM IST | Washington | APAstronauts aboard Artemis 2 have crossed the halfway point between Earth and the Moon, marking a significant milestone in their ongoing journey. The update came as NASA released the first images of Earth captured from inside the Orion spacecraft, offering a striking view of the planet receding into space, reported AFP. The milestone was reached approximately two days, five hours, and 24 minutes after liftoff from Kennedy Space Center. Astronaut Christina Koch described the crew’s reaction as one of shared excitement and awe upon receiving confirmation that they had reached the midpoint. Crew shares early impressions of deep space travel Speaking during a live update, Koch noted that the Moon was already visible through the spacecraft’s docking hatch, calling it a “beautiful sight.” As of early Saturday, Orion had travelled more than 229,000 kilometres from Earth, according to mission data, reported AFP. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who is on his first spaceflight, spoke candidly about his experience. He described a sense of disbelief at being part of such a historic mission, adding that the views of space were extraordinary. Hansen also highlighted the unique sensation of weightlessness, saying it brought out a childlike sense of wonder, reported AFP. The crew also includes Victor Glover and mission commander Reid Wiseman, both of whom are playing key roles in spacecraft operations and documentation. Images of Earth highlight mission’s broader perspective Among the visuals released by NASA was a full-frame image of Earth, showcasing vast blue oceans and swirling cloud formations. Officials praised the quality of the images, particularly those captured by Wiseman, describing them as remarkable given the spacecraft’s distance from Earth. NASA officials said the mission is also providing valuable insights into operating a crewed spacecraft in deep space for the first time in decades. Continuous system checks and onboard experiments are being conducted as the astronauts adapt to the environment, reported AFP. Upcoming lunar approach and scientific objectives The crew is scheduled to perform a series of tasks, including medical demonstrations and equipment evaluations, in preparation for their closest approach to the Moon. This phase of the mission will involve documenting scientific observations and testing onboard systems under lunar conditions. The next key milestone is expected when the spacecraft enters the Moon’s gravitational sphere of influence, where lunar gravity will begin to dominate over Earth’s pull. This transition is anticipated to occur late Sunday into Monday. Mission could set new distance record for human spaceflight If the mission proceeds as planned, the astronauts could travel farther from Earth than any humans before, surpassing previous records set during the Apollo era. Wiseman acknowledged the magnitude of the mission, noting that sending humans such vast distances remains an extraordinary challenge. The Artemis 2 mission is part of NASA’s broader strategy to re-establish a sustained human presence on the Moon. Future missions aim to develop a long-term lunar base, which could serve as a stepping stone for deeper space exploration, including potential missions to Mars. (With inputs from AFP)
04 April,2026 01:23 PM IST | Houston | mid-day online correspondentAuthorities in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), responded after debris from an aerial interception fell on the facade of the Oracle building in Dubai Internet City, the Dubai Media Office confirmed on Saturday (local time). According to the Dubai Media Office, no injuries were reported in the incident. "Authorities confirm that they responded to a minor incident caused by debris from an aerial interception that fell on the facade of the Oracle building in Dubai Internet City. No injuries were reported," the Dubai Media Office wrote on X. Earlier on Saturday, authorities also responded to a similar incident in the Dubai Marina area, where debris from an aerial interception fell onto the facade of a building, the Media Office confirmed. No fire or injuries were reported. Dubai Marina is a residential neighbourhood that also attracts tourists, including visitors to Dubai Marina Mall. The aerial interceptions come amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has also affected Dubai following Tehran’s aerial strikes. The UAE has previously faced fires and other incidents at its energy facilities during the conflict, which began on February 28. According to Al Jazeera, one person was killed and four others were injured in an attack on Abu Dhabi's Habshan gas facility, the UAE's largest natural gas processing site, which suffered significant damage. The conflict began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran's retaliation against US and Israeli assets in the region has since expanded the scope of the conflict. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 April,2026 01:21 PM IST | Dubai | ANIResearchers have developed an experimental Alzheimer’s drug. The compound, called FLAV-27, is designed to reset part of the cell’s epigenetic machinery, the system that helps control which genes are turned on or off. In animal models, that approach appeared to affect several hallmarks of the disease at once. The findings point to a possible new treatment. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 April,2026 10:55 AM IST | Madrid | AgenciesIslamabad's attempt tp position itself as a mediator in the West Asia conflict has come to naught with the Iranian side refusing to meet any US led delegation in Pakistan, reports the Wall Street Journal. Iran has also called the list of demands from the US as unacceptablem, pushing the possibility of an early resolution to the crisis to the back burner. Pakistan had staked its diplomatic heft by pitching itself as a mediator claiming to have been behind messaging to both the Iranian and US sides. However, it appears that with this significant trust deficit the Iranians are reluctant to let Islambad play any role in negotiations. However, some hope was ignited as reports suggested that Iran could move towards a mediation effort brokered by Qatar, another key player in the region. Meanwhile, tensions have escalated in the region after the reports of a missing US airman after a US aircraft was downed by the Iranians and the taking down of another US A-10 plane. US President Donald Trump withheld details regarding the potential US response should a missing crew member, forced to eject over Iran, be harmed or captured, The President declined to specify a course of action during a brief telephone interview with The Independent on Friday. When questioned by The Independent about the measures he might take if the airman is mistreated by Iranian forces, Trump stated, "Well, I can't comment on it because we hope that's not going to happen." The Iranians say their forces have now executed Wave 93 of their retaliatory campaign against US-Israel. IRGC claimed to have dealt precise blows to critical Israeli military staging grounds deep inside the occupied territories. During this IRGC said that centres of gathering and combat support of the Israelis in Western Galilee, Haifa, Kafr Kanna, and Krayot were precisely hit. In what will spell further trouble for the US and its allies, Iran said it has the ability to sustain the current situation in the Strait of Hormu for years, A senior Iranian security official told Press TV that Iran's heightened sensitivity over the strategic waterway stems from the fact that the majority of equipment used to supply US military bases and garrisons across the region has historically been transported by sea. "Iran has the capability to sustain this situation for years," the official said, referring to the effective shutdown of the strategic waterway to US and allied vessels. The official further stated that Iran believes it should no longer allow such logistical support to continue. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 April,2026 10:53 AM IST | Tehran | ANIHumans may have been shaped in part by repeated exposure to high-temperature burn injuries. Research suggests man’s long history with fire influenced how the body repairs damage, responds to infection, and reacts under severe trauma. Humans experience burns, and survive them, far more often than other animals. While most species instinctively avoid fire, humans have integrated it into daily life. As a result, minor burns are common for most people. The findings suggest that humans developed genetic traits that differ from other primates and mammals, influencing how the body handles both mild and severe burn injuries. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 April,2026 10:52 AM IST | Baltimore | AgenciesA rescue submarine has been cleared for global emergency deployment after the US Navy carried out a series of deep-sea trials to validate its abilities. The Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System (SRDRS) received the approval after completing a final manned dive on March 6 to a depth of 2000 feet. The SRDRS system is remotely operated. It is also equipped to rescue stranded submarine crews during emergencies, and has the ability to deploy anywhere in the world within 96 hours. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 April,2026 10:49 AM IST | Texas | AgenciesLos Angeles residents are wearing head- and wrist-mounted cameras to record everyday chores, earning up to $80 for two hours of footage. Companies purchase this data to train humanoid robots to replicate human actions in real-world environments. This work creates fantastic income opportunities, but raises concerns about workers training robots that could replace them one day. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 April,2026 10:45 AM IST | Los Angeles | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
