Tributes to ‘fun, bright’ boy, 13, killed in crash Collision in Flitwick leaves family in mourning On Friday evening at 23:50 BST, a collision involving a car, bicycle, and scooter in Flitwick, Bedfordshire, claimed the life of 13-year-old Noah Campbell. Two other teenagers were seriously injured and hospitalized. His family has since shared memories of a boy described as “fun, bright, handsome, athletic” and “incredibly well-liked.” “He cherished time with friends and family, who were the heart of his world,” the family stated. “While football was his favorite sport, he excelled in rugby, cricket, and athletics. Outside organized games, Noah loved staying active and adventurous, often challenging himself at the gym and at the bike park.” Noah’s death has left a lasting void in his family’s lives, they added. The tribute came as police confirmed charges against two individuals linked to the incident. A 24-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman have been remanded in custody for court on Monday. Charges against suspects Jamie Fountain, from Fir Tree Close, Flitwick, faces multiple offenses, including causing death by careless driving and causing death while under the influence of alcohol and drugs. He is also charged with two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving. Additionally, he has been accused of failing to stop at the scene of the accident, failing to report it, and conspiring to obstruct justice. Ellie Ireland, of Wingate Drive, Ampthill, has been charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Preliminary reports indicate one of the injured boys remains in a serious condition, while the other was discharged after treatment for severe injuries. The police have confirmed the details of the crash and the subsequent charges. Stay updated on local news from Beds, Herts and Bucks via BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Hungary Claims Conspiracy to Target Gas Pipeline Before Election Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban summoned an emergency session of the National Defence Council following the discovery of explosives near a critical Russian gas pipeline. The find occurred in a border region of Serbia, where the TurkStream line enters Hungary, and has been linked to the upcoming elections on April 3. Opposition leader Peter Magyar criticized Orban for alleged “panic-mongering,” suggesting the incident was orchestrated with “Russian advisers” to sway public opinion. Orban, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has consistently opposed EU efforts to reduce reliance on Russian energy since the invasion of Ukraine. Despite this, he maintains that low fuel costs in Hungary depend on cheap Russian imports. Recent weeks have seen security analysts speculate that the attack might be a staged operation, either in Hungary or Serbia, aimed at bolstering Orban’s Fidesz party or justifying an election delay. On Sunday, Serbian President Alexander Vucic informed Orban of the explosives, which were uncovered by Serbian forces near Tresnjevac village in the Kanjiza district. The location is approximately 20km from the TurkStream pipeline’s Hungarian border crossing. “Our units found an explosive of devastating power,” Vucic stated in an Instagram post, adding that he would update Orban on the investigation’s progress. Political Motives and Blame Shifting According to Fidesz allies, including Balint Pasztor of the Vojvodina Hungarian Association, the attack could be a calculated move to undermine opposition leader Peter Magyar. They claim the explosives were meant to target Hungary’s energy infrastructure, indirectly supporting Orban’s narrative. “If the investigation proves the pipeline was the primary target, it makes it clear: the terrorist attack was planned to bring down Viktor Orban,” Pasztor remarked on Facebook. “We had some solid preliminary information about this operation, including details about the place and possible timing,” said former Hungarian counter-intelligence officer Peter Buda. “It’s clear that Ukraine’s interests aren’t at stake here. An operation like this would help Orban before the election by influencing public opinion in his favor.” Orban has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of imposing an “oil blockade,” citing the Druzhba pipeline’s disruption since January. Ukraine attributes the damage to a Russian attack and expects repairs by mid-April. No formal charges of Ukrainian involvement have been made yet, though a Serbian source hinted the investigation could reveal links as early as Monday. Strategic Rivalry and Energy Dependence Hungary relies on between five and eight billion cubic metres of Russian gas annually via TurkStream, a route also used by Slovakia. Orban’s campaign has positioned Ukraine as a threat to energy affordability, framing a “Kyiv-Brussels-Berlin” alliance as conspiring to replace him with a “puppet” leader. He warns that a Fidesz loss could push Hungary into a European conflict with Russia. Security expert Andras Racz warned on Facebook that a “fake attack” on TurkStream might be staged in Serbia, with explosives falsely linked to Ukraine. This strategy, he argued, would allow Orban to blame Kyiv for the disruption, reinforcing his political narrative. Meanwhile, the Hungarian government insists the threat is genuine, claiming it has witnessed a series of coordinated moves against the country’s energy supply.

Pope Leo XIV Urges Global Leaders to Prioritize Peace in Easter Address A large number of attendees gathered in St Peter’s Square on Sunday to witness Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Easter Mass speech as the leader of the Catholic Church. Positioned beneath the iconic white roses adorning the central balcony of Vatican Basilica, the pontiff emphasized the need for leaders to embrace peace over conflict. “On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars,” he proclaimed. The Easter Mass was marked by vibrant spring blooms, with rows of daffodils and an array of purple, red, and white flowers meticulously arranged to reflect the season’s renewal. Before delivering his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing—meaning “to the city and the world”—Leo greeted the crowd below, his voice echoing across the square as he extended his message in Latin, Arabic, and Chinese. “We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and becoming indifferent, indifferent to the deaths of thousands of people,” the pope said. “Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace.” Leo, the first pope born in the United States, has grown increasingly critical of ongoing global conflicts, particularly the Iran war. In recent public addresses, he has repeatedly called for de-escalation and highlighted the need for reconciliation. His Easter sermon, however, avoided naming specific nations or disputes, focusing instead on the universal call to peace. He paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis, who delivered his final Easter address hours before his passing last year. Reflecting on the Easter narrative of Christ’s resurrection, Leo noted that Jesus remained “entirely nonviolent” despite enduring suffering. “Three days after being nailed to the cross, he rose with unwavering resolve,” the pope said, framing the message as a spiritual imperative. As bells rang through the Vatican and the crowd applauded, Leo concluded his blessing with Easter greetings in multiple languages. The pope also announced plans to return to the basilica on 11 April for a peace prayer vigil. His Easter vigil sermon on Saturday night reinforced his stance, urging believers to resist apathy toward global strife and actively seek harmony. Recently, Leo made a rare direct appeal to Donald Trump, encouraging the U.S. President to find an “off-ramp” to resolve tensions with Iran. This continued his pattern of addressing conflicts during Holy Week, stressing that the world must rekindle its moral response to war and suffering.

Royals Attend Windsor Easter Sunday Service King Charles and Queen Camilla participated in an Easter Sunday service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, accompanied by several other members of the Royal Family. Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, led their children—Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7—into the chapel, drawing applause from onlookers. Princess Charlotte waved to the gathered crowd as they entered, while the King and Queen concluded the event by shaking hands with the public and wishing them a joyful Easter. The service, considered a familial tradition rather than a formal duty, saw the absence of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, his former spouse Sarah Ferguson, and daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. The trio had attended the event the previous year but opted for different arrangements this time. Last year’s absence was attributed to a family vacation in Norfolk, and the year prior to that followed Catherine’s cancer diagnosis. “God bless the King,” one spectator shouted as the royal couple arrived last among the attendees. Princess Anne joined the service alongside her husband Sir Tim Laurence and Prince Edward, along with his family. The King did not deliver an Easter message this year, though he took part in the traditional Maundy service on Thursday in Denbighshire, Wales. This ceremony honors the Last Supper and emphasizes humility, service, and community support. During the event, the King presented gifts to 77 men and 77 women in recognition of their contributions to Christian service. Meanwhile, the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal continues to impact the Mountbatten-Windsor family, who have been questioned about their ties to the US sex offender. Andrew, who has been stripped of his royal title, remains under investigation for alleged misconduct in public office. Despite this, Dame Sarah Mullally, the newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, delivered an Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral, urging an end to conflict in the Middle East. She prayed “with renewed urgency” for peace as the US-Israel war against Iran entered its sixth week.

Artemis’s Stunning Moon Pictures – Science or Holiday Photos? Human Eyes and the Lunar Journey NASA’s Artemis II mission has captivated the public with a series of breathtaking images capturing the Moon and Earth from unique perspectives. These visuals, shared widely on social media, offer a dramatic view of the celestial bodies, showcasing their interplay in high-definition detail. While the mission’s goal is to send astronauts farther from Earth than any since 1972, questions linger about whether these photographs hold significant scientific merit or are simply a collection of aesthetic snapshots. Technology and the Crew’s Role The Orion spacecraft is equipped with 32 cameras and instruments, 15 of which are fixed, while 17 are operated by the four astronauts. Despite their advanced setup, the crew uses familiar equipment—10-year-old Nikon D5 cameras, GoPros, and smartphones. NASA even labels each image with the specific device used, emphasizing transparency. During the 10-day journey, the astronauts have shared live updates, highlighting their enthusiasm as they navigate the vastness of space. On Friday, the crew’s first major observation revealed the Earth at a midpoint between the Moon and Earth, 142,000 miles (228,500 km) from home and 132,000 miles from the lunar surface. The image captured Earth’s auroras and Venus’ glow, with the planet appearing upside down, its geography marked by the Sahara desert and Iberian peninsula on the left, and South America on the right. While visually striking, experts argue these images lack the scientific depth of prior missions. Robotic Precedence and Human Perspective NASA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory, launched in 2015, has been taking images of Earth from over a million miles away for years—far beyond the Artemis II range. Similarly, robotic missions like India’s Chandrayaan-3 (2023) and China’s Chang’e-6 (2024) have already mapped and sampled the Moon’s far side. The Orientale basin, a massive crater with a dense network of impact craters, was highlighted in a recent NASA release. This image, captured during the mission’s approach to the Moon’s far side, is touted as the first time humans have seen the entire structure. However, Apollo astronauts previously observed parts of it, limited by their orbital constraints. “The value of the images coming back from Artemis and its crew is artistic, not scientific,” said Chris Lintott, an astrophysicist at the University of Oxford and co-host of BBC’s *The Sky at Night*. He noted that robotic explorers have long provided detailed data on the Moon’s far side, including high-resolution images and samples. “Unless something very unusual happens, there will be nothing for the astronauts to discover,” Lintott added. “Even an impact flash would require systematic analysis, best achieved with video cameras rather than casual observations.” Despite this, NASA frames the mission as a pivotal moment in lunar exploration, underscoring the human element in space discovery. While the images may not advance scientific understanding, their role in inspiring public engagement and showcasing the mission’s adventurous spirit is undeniable. As the Artemis crew continues their journey, the line between scientific achievement and visual storytelling remains blurred, but the endeavor itself is celebrated as a milestone in space exploration.

Apple at 50: Three products that changed how we live – and three that really didn’t Apple, now in its 50th year, has consistently reshaped the way people engage with technology. Founded by two Steves in a San Francisco garage, the company’s influence spans decades, marked by groundbreaking innovations and products that fell short of their potential. Today, nearly one-third of the global population owns an Apple device, a milestone attributed to the firm’s masterful marketing strategies, as Emma Wall of Hargreaves Lansdown noted. “They sold a dream,” she said, adding that Apple’s early focus on branding as a core element was “quite new at the time.” Products That Transformed Daily Life The iPod, launched in 2001, became a symbol of Apple’s ability to redefine consumer experiences. While not the first portable music player, it revolutionized the industry with its intuitive design and seamless integration of iTunes. As Craig Pickerell of The Apple Geek