Day: April 7, 2026

Iranian authorities have asked the nation’s children to form human chains around vital infrastructure in a sick, Geneva Convention-defying bid to fend of Donald Trump’s looming strikes, News.Az reports, citing Mirror.
Officials today called on “all young people, athletes, artists, students and university students and their professors” to form human chains around power plants ahead of strikes which the US president has threatened to carry out tonight. 
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Trump has threatened to “demolish” civilian infrastructure in the nation, going as far as to warn citizens not to travel on trains, ahead of the massive anticipated 1am BST military action.

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According to data shared by Flightradar24, aerial assets will be actively tracked on Friday to support the crew’s anticipated return. In the meantime, mission observers are focusing on the extraordinary visuals already transmitted by the astronauts, News.az reports.
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The published images showcase Earth glowing against the darkness of space, detailed lunar landscapes, and dramatic eclipse-like views where celestial bodies align in near-perfect symmetry. These visuals highlight both the scale of the mission and the technological capabilities enabling high-quality imaging far beyond Earth’s orbit.

Source: Xinhua
NASA’s Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon and lay the groundwork for future missions to Mars. Artemis II, the program’s first crewed flight, marks a major step in that direction, demonstrating systems and operations critical for long-duration deep-space travel.

Source: Xinhua
The mission continues to attract global attention, not only for its scientific and strategic significance but also for the powerful imagery that brings humanity closer to space exploration than ever before.

Source: Xinhua

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Robert Buskey Jr., 35, pleaded guilty in January to second-degree murder and criminal sale of a controlled substance to a child, according to a press statement from the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office, News.Az reports, citing People. 
Buskey admitted that “under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life,” he recklessly engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of serious injury or death to his daughter, Charlotte, ultimately causing her 2024 death, per the statement.
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Authorities were called to Buskey’s home on April 14, 2024. Inside, they discovered the girl’s severely emaciated body locked in a bedroom in what they described as a “house of horrors,” the statement reads.
They also found a makeshift cage in the dining room where Buskey kept his 3-year-old son, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said Charlotte had been neglected and malnourished for months. She and her brother had been completely isolated from the outside world — no longer seeing family members, attending medical appointments or going to school.
They added that Buskey kept the children confined so he could “do drugs, play video games, and not be bothered by [them],” per the statement.
According to prosecutors, evidence showed that Buskey locked Charlotte in her bedroom, where she had only a small pack-and-play to lie in. She was left without food, water or contact with anyone and ultimately died of severe dehydration and malnutrition, despite food being available elsewhere in the house, per the statement.
Along with his daughter’s murder, Buskey was also convicted of giving drugs to his children. Both tested positive for cocaine.
At his sentencing on April 3, Buskey apologized for his actions and took responsibility, WGRB reported. “I deserve it,” he said in court, per the news outlet. “I understand why I am being prosecuted here. I understand the reasons why everyone looks at me as a monster.”
Buskey’s defense attorney, Joseph Litz, highlighted his client’s struggles with drug addiction and mental health and argued that others could have intervened to prevent Charlotte’s death, WAMC reported.
Judge Matthew Sypniewski disagreed. “This has everything and only to do with only what could be an absolute narcissist, self-absorbed, individual who is so selfish and has no empathy for what was a locked-up 5-year-old starving to death behind that door,” he said, per the outlet. “That’s what it’s about.”
As part of his plea agreement, Buskey was given the maximum sentence allowed by law, gave up his right to appeal and was placed under an order of protection that forbids any contact with his now 5-year-old son, the district attorney’s office said.
Buskey previously competed as an amateur mixed martial arts fighter in local Cage Wars events.

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Hundreds of people gathered this morning along major roads in Cork city and county to protest the continuing rise in fuel prices.
The widespread protest has seen members of the agricultural industry come together in slow-moving or parked convoys to highlight the negative impact that rising fuel costs are having on communities and businesses across the country, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
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Areas impacted by reduced traffic flow include the South Ring Road, the N25, N20, M8, the N71 from Clonakilty to Skibbereen, the Lakeview Roundabout, Shannonpark Roundabout, Kinsale Road Roundabout, the Jack Lynch Tunnel, Mallow, Macroom, Mitchelstown, Blarney, and Midleton.
Speaking to The Echo, Cork-based agricultural business owner Dave Mulcahy, who is currently protesting above the Jack Lynch Tunnel, said there is “only one case scenario – no best case – the fuel prices need to come back down to what they were”.
“We’re out protesting today because the fuel prices are too high,” said Mr Mulcahy.
“We’re facing a worldwide recession, things have to come down or the whole country is going to go broke.
“There are approximately 200 trucks on the way to join us, and the place will be gridlocked.
“We’re not stopping traffic; we just can’t afford to move,” he added.
“We’re in the hard shoulder and the slow lane; there is no emergency exit or route that’s blocked.
“We might not go home tonight, and we might be here again tomorrow too – it’s up to the government when they want to do something.
“Every form of humanity in Ireland is affected by this – nobody is going to escape it.
“The people annoyed by this must be very wealthy if they can afford to pay astronomical prices for fuel.
“This will be bigger than Covid, something has to give because people will have no food on their tables within the next month.”

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Lucescu’s death was confirmed by Bucharest University Emergency Hospital on Tuesday. He had been hospitalized after reportedly suffering a heart attack on Friday morning, News.az reports, citing BBC.
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“Mr. Mircea Lucescu was one of the most successful Romanian football coaches and players, the first to qualify the Romanian national team for a European Championship, in 1984,” the hospital said in a statement. “Entire generations of Romanians grew up with his image in their hearts, as a national symbol.”

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The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia has advised Americans to reconsider participating in the Hajj pilgrimage.
It also advised Americans to reconsider “participation in Hajj this year” – the annual Muslim pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
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Celine Dion is returning to the stage for a special residency at the iconic Paris La Défense Arena. The much-loved singer shocked the world when she announced her returning to live music following her health diagnosis, News.Az reports, citing Mirror.
The singer was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome four years ago, a neurological disorder which causes painful and uncontrollable muscle spasms and rigidity.
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However, she will be back on the stage this September for a string of dates. Speaking about her decision, she said: “Over the last few years, every day that’s gone by, I’ve felt your prayers and support, your kindness and love. You’ve helped me in ways that I can’t even describe, and I’m truly fortunate to have your support.
“This year, I’m getting the best birthday gift of my life…I’m getting the chance to see you, to perform for you once again in Paris, beginning in September! I’m feeling good, I’m strong, I’m feeling excited, obviously a little nervous, but most of all, I’m grateful to all of YOU! I love you all and I’ll see you soon!”

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Gates will sit for a transcribed interview June 10, according to a person familiar with the matter granted anonymity to discuss the committee’s deliberations, News.Az reports, citing Politico.
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His interview comes after the committee issued a March 3 letter requesting his testimony.
A spokesperson for Gates said the Microsoft founder “welcomes” the chance to appear before the committee.
“While he never witnessed or participated in any of Epstein’s illegal conduct, he is looking forward to answering all the committee’s questions to support their important work,” the spokesperson said.
Gates has been under heavy scrutiny for his relationship with the disgraced financier. Documents released in December depicted Gates with Epstein, and Gates has previously said he had several dinners with Epstein, though he added he was under the impression Epstein would use his wealthy connections to fundraise for global health causes.
When that didn’t happen, Gates told PBS NewsHour in 2021, he cut off the dinners and called the meetings “a mistake.”
Gates’ sitdown will round out a series of interviews before the committee.
Ted Waitt, the founder of Gateway who was romantically linked to Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell for years, will sit for a transcribed interview April 30, the person said; Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is also set to appear before the committee May 6.
Tova Noel, the prison guard who said she was the last to see Epstein alive, will be interviewed on May 18. And Lesley Groff, Epstein’s longtime assistant, will sit for an interview June 9.
A spokesperson at Waitt’s foundation did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did lawyers who have represented Groff. Noel could not immediately be reached.
The transcribed interviews, while more informal than a deposition, will take place behind closed doors.
The committee has already interviewed former Attorney General Bill Barr, former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta and Maxwell, who remains incarcerated.
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have also been questioned on their relationship with Epstein.

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The US president has threatened to wipe out civilian infrastructure in the country if Iran does not open the Strait of Hormuz by 2 a.m. tonight, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.

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It has prompted some Iranians to form human chains along bridges and at several energy facilities around the country, according to videos and images published by state and local media.

For example, the semi-official news agency Mehr has posted pictures of protesters in front of a power plant in the city of Kermanshah with a banner reading “Attacks on energy infrastructure are considered war crimes.”

Changed attitudes

Two Tehran residents The New York Times spoke to said they have changed their attitudes toward the United States and Israel. They are among opposition Iranians who had previously hoped that attacks on the country’s leadership could pave the way for political change.

Attacks on energy facilities, universities and schools – and Trump’s latest threat to kill “an entire civilization” – have meant a shift, Lili tells the newspaper:

“Now we support Iran and whatever regime is in power.”

At the same time, there is widespread fear about the consequences of a crippled energy infrastructure.

Bunkers and bottled water

Many Tehran residents stocked up on bottled water and charged phones, flashlights and power banks on Tuesday, the AP news agency reports. For some, such as patients in hospitals, widespread power outages could pose an immediate threat to life.

One of them is 56-year-old Asghar Hashemi, who is undergoing dialysis treatment at a hospital in Tehran.

“I am concerned, but I am more worried about my countrymen,” he told the AP.

Whatever happens, we will stand until the end.

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