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

Key Points:

• Four astronauts launched on the Artemis II mission from Kennedy Space Center, marking the first crewed lunar orbit in over 50 years; the 10-day mission aims to pave the way for future moon landings near the south pole.
• President Donald Trump declared the war in Iran is "nearing completion" during a primetime address, warning of severe military action if Iran does not agree to a peace deal soon, though Iran’s military vowed continued resistance.
• Oil prices surged sharply following Trump’s remarks, with Brent crude rising over 7%, as investors grew concerned about prolonged conflict in the Middle East, contributing to higher gas prices impacting American consumers.
• A CNN investigation revealed significant modernization of China’s nuclear facilities in Sichuan province, supporting US concerns about Beijing’s expanding nuclear weapons infrastructure ahead of President Trump’s upcoming visit to China.
• The FDA is investigating a multistate E. coli outbreak linked to raw cheddar cheese, with at least nine illnesses and three hospitalizations reported, prompting health officials to emphasize the importance of pasteurization in preventing foodborne diseases.