A 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 | AgenciesMyanmar’s parliament on Friday elected Min Aung Hlaing, a general who ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government in 2021 and kept an iron grip on power for the past five years, as the country’s new president. 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 10:43 AM IST | Bangkok | AgenciesChina’s attempt to launch its most powerful privately developed rocket failed on Friday after the vehicle suffered a flight anomaly. The Tianlong-3 rocket is being developed in hopes of breaking a key bottleneck in the country’s roll-out of internet satellite megaconstellations to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. 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 10:39 AM IST | Beijing | AgenciesStella Juva, the world’s first solar-powered ambulance designed to operate entirely on solar energy while supporting onboard medical equipment. Developed by students from Eindhoven University of Technology, Stella Juva — expected to hit the road in July 2026 — aims to enable healthcare delivery in remote or infrastructure-limited regions. 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 10:28 AM IST | Amsterdam: | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
