THE OBSERVER MAGAZINE – SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2026

The Observer Magazine: The latest issue features – Coverage centers on the ongoing Middle East crisis, featuring a dramatic account of a mission to rescue the crew of a downed U.S. F-15 fighter jet. Reports also detail Israeli airstrikes in Beirut and Iranian drone attacks on energy facilities in Kuwait. Also, the Economic Impact: Analysts warn that soaring energy costs triggered by the conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could threaten the global AI boom and lead to higher taxes and mortgage rates in the UK.

A picture of home

Nasa’s moon mission has captured a view immortalised by Apollo astronauts in 1968, but its quest to beat China to the lunar surface is now under threat from Trump By Giles Whittell

White House chaos intensifies after Iran downs two US warplanes

Desperate search for missing US pilot caps a week of confusion for the president as he loses his grip on the conflict

‘Forty-eight hours before all hell will rain down’: Trump warns Iran over Hormuz

As the US president ups the ante, allies discuss using minesweepers to clear the strait and Tehran imposes new transit fees on shipping

THE NEW YORK TIMES – SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2026

U.S. Rescues Missing Airman Shot Down in Iran

Risky Night Mission Took Commandos Deep Into Iranian Territory

President Trump said on social media that the injured Air Force officer would “be just fine.” He added that there were no U.S. casualties.

Iran’s Downing of Plane and Daring U.S. Rescue Leave Both Sides Emboldened

Stephen Miller Is Still Pursuing His Immigration Agenda, but More Quietly

The architect of President Trump’s mass deportation campaign wants “a moratorium on immigration from third-world countries until we can heal ourselves as a nation.”

China Built the World’s Drone Industry. Now It’s Locking Down the Skies.

The Chinese government tightened rules to curb what it described as illegal drone use, but some users said the changes were restricting too many flights.