5 things to know for April 2: Artemis II launch, Trump’s address, Oil prices, China’s nuclear arsenal, Raw cheese

Americans stepped up spending at US retailers earlier this year, a sign some consumers remain resilient despite a shaky economic backdrop.

Here’s what else you need to know to get up to speed and on with your day.

1️⃣ Artemis II launch

Four astronauts blasted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday on a monumental 10-day mission around the moon. The risky lunar venture will mark the first time astronauts return to the moon’s vicinity in more than 50 years. Artemis II will not land, but the test flight is designed to pave the way for a future crewed mission to the moon’s largely unexplored south pole. After a busy launch day, the astronauts are set to complete a critical engine burn today to help propel them toward lunar orbit. The crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

2️⃣ Trump’s address

In a primetime address on Wednesday, President Donald Trump said the war in Iran is “nearing completion,” while also warning he could bomb the country “back to the stone ages” if it does not agree to a peace deal within two to three weeks. He claimed success on his central objective — preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon — and urged Americans to be patient. He also downplayed the US’ reliance on the Strait of Hormuz and the global impact of its closure. Iran’s military rejected Trump’s assertion that it has been weakened by more than a month of strikes. “Following the powerful and unimaginable blows you have already received, expect even more crushing, more extensive and destructive actions from us,” it said in a statement.

3️⃣ Oil prices

Oil prices jumped and stocks slipped today after President Trump’s remarks dashed investors’ hopes for a swift end to the war. Brent crude rose 7.4% to more than $108 a barrel, while the US benchmark climbed 7% to about $107, as stock markets reversed earlier gains. In his Wednesday address, Trump said that the US — the world’s top oil producer— is insulated from supply shocks. But many Americans may find that statement hard to accept as they feel the pinch of gas prices soaring past $4 per gallon, which will likely increase the cost of everything from groceries to air travel.

4️⃣ China’s nuclear arsenal

The modernization of nuclear sites in China’s Sichuan province supports claims by the Trump administration that Beijing is pursuing its most significant nuclear weapons infrastructure expansion in decades, a CNN investigation has found. This comes as President Trump is set to visit Beijing next month, where he is expected to press Chinese leader Xi Jinping on curbing those ambitions. Experts are closely monitoring a facility called Site 906, which saw little development for decades — until now. CNN’s analysis of satellite imagery shows new buildings and infrastructure, including a massive dome that appears to be designed to keep highly radioactive materials such as uranium and plutonium trapped inside.

5️⃣ Raw cheese

Federal health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of a dangerous E. coli strain linked to raw cheddar cheese, the FDA said. At least nine people have fallen ill and three have been hospitalized, prompting renewed warnings about the risks of raw milk products. Though raw dairy is growing in popularity due to its perceived benefits, health experts stress that pasteurization remains one of the most effective ways to prevent foodborne illnesses. It reduces risk through a process that heats milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time and then cools it rapidly. These steps are designed to kill harmful bacteria while preserving the milk’s nutritional value.

Breakfast browse

Video: Robotaxi outage

A “system failure” caused a multi-vehicle robotaxi outage in the Chinese city of Wuhan, police said. See the moment vehicles stalled in the road.

What does it really mean to ‘age well’?

Shamita Sharmacharja, curator at London’s Wellcome Collection, explores this question in her latest exhibition, “The Coming of Age.”

Inside one man’s journey traveling the world without flying

An Egyptian traveler set off in October on a quest to circle the globe without flying. Instead, he’s hopping on camels, sailboats and poultry trucks in search of a more immersive way to see the world.

Video: Schwarzenegger’s son wins gold in bodybuilding

Joseph Baena is following in his famous father’s footsteps, picking up the top prize in three categories at a bodybuilding competition in Colorado.

‘There’s a new sheriff in town’: Inside the Miami conference on Trump’s ‘Donroe Doctrine’

Cuban blackouts, Colombian drug cartels and Brazilian dark horses. A new Miami forum puts America’s foreign policy pivot under the spotlight.

And finally…

▶️ Apple ‘superfan’ shows off epic collection

Apple’s #1 “Superfan” gives CNN’s Bill Weir a tour of his home museum and explains why he’s conflicted about how the company is run today..

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