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The Artemis II mission has reached a critical phase, entering the moon's 'sphere of influence' where the lunar gravity dominates over Earth's. This development occurred four days, six hours, and two minutes into the mission, at a distance of about 39,000 miles from the moon and 232,000 miles from Earth. The crew is set to perform a lunar flyby later on Monday, which will take them to the far side of the moon, a region that has not been explored by humans in over 50 years. This mission aims to break the record for the farthest distance from Earth traveled by humans. NASA's Artemis II mission is a significant step towards re-establishing a human presence on the moon, building on the legacy of the Apollo program, which last sent astronauts to the moon in 1972. The current crew has already observed new sights of the lunar surface, including the Orientale basin, also known as the moon's 'Grand Canyon,' which has been photographed before by orbiting cameras but never seen with human eyes. The mission will also test the Orion spacecraft's capabilities, including its life support systems and manual piloting. The data collected will be crucial for future missions, such as Artemis III in 2027 and the lunar landing planned for Artemis IV in 2028.

Sha’Carri Richardson, the Olympic 100m silver medallist and world‑ranked sixth‑fastest woman, delivered a thrilling victory at the 144th Stawell Gift on Easter Monday, crossing the finish line in a record 13.15 seconds to claim the $40,000 top prize.The 26‑year‑old American entered the historic Australian event – the nation’s oldest and richest running race – as a scratch runner, meaning she started from the zero‑metre mark while rivals enjoyed handicaps based on prior performance.In the women’s final, Richardson edged out Charlotte Nielsen (13.20s) and Chiara Santiglia (13.36s) after a false start by 17‑year‑old Grace Crowe forced the latter to move her blocks back a metre, effectively shortening Richardson’s target.Her semi‑final had been a nail‑biter; Richardson eased up at the line and won by a razor‑thin seven thousandths of a second over Halle Martin, prompting her coach Dennis Mitchell to stress the need for a stronger finish.“I think I realised I was going to win right past 90 metres,” Richardson said post‑race, adding, “The love, the support, the true enjoyment that I had on the track … you all made this moment happen. Thank you.”Richardson’s triumph makes her the third woman ever to win the Stawell Gift from scratch, underscoring the event’s growing international stature and the lucrative incentive for elite sprinters.In the men’s 120‑metre final, Australian Olufemi Komolafe – a 21‑year‑old medical student – secured victory in 11.93 seconds from a five‑metre handicap, with Jake Ireland second in 12.07 seconds. Komolafe expressed disappointment at not facing his idol, fellow American sprinter Christian Coleman, who failed to qualify for the final, finishing fifth in his semi‑final off scratch.Coleman reflected, “I gave it everything I got. You give them that much of a margin, it’s pretty tough. I hope everybody continues to watch and support athletics. I’m looking forward to a strong season and improving my 40‑to‑100 metre transition.”

NASA announced that the Artemis II crew has now traversed the halfway mark between Earth and the Moon, and the agency released the first photographs of our planet taken from within the Orion capsule.After completing the fourth day of a ten‑day voyage, the astronauts settled in for a brief rest while the spacecraft hovered roughly 322,000 km (200,000 miles) from Earth and about 132,000 km (82,000 miles) from the lunar surface, according to NASA’s live mission dashboard.The newly published images showcase Earth as a luminous blue sphere wrapped in swirling cloud patterns, offering a striking perspective from deep space.Looking ahead, the four‑person team is slated to perform a swing‑by of the Moon’s far side early next week – a maneuver that has not been attempted by a crewed vehicle in more than five decades.The next critical checkpoint arrives overnight from Sunday into Monday (U.S. time), when Orion is expected to enter the “lunar sphere of influence,” the point where the Moon’s gravity overtakes Earth’s pull on the spacecraft.If the trajectory proceeds as planned, the mission will place the astronauts at a greater distance from Earth than any human has ever traveled, setting a new record for deep‑space human flight.Artemis II forms a cornerstone of NASA’s broader strategy to re‑establish a regular human presence on the Moon, ultimately building a permanent base that could serve as a launchpad for future missions to Mars and beyond.

Iran is experiencing the longest nationwide internet blackout ever recorded, according to the global monitoring group NetBlocks. Since the United States and Israel launched their war on Iran on February 28, connectivity has hovered at about 1% of pre‑war levels, effectively cutting the country off from the global web. The blackout follows a prior 20‑day shutdown in January, which coincided with deadly nationwide protests. Combined, these measures mean that Iranian civilians have spent close to two‑thirds of 2026 in digital darkness, relying only on a slow, state‑controlled intranet for basic services and state‑run news. NetBlocks highlighted that while regions such as Myanmar, Sudan, Kashmir and Tigray have endured longer intermittent outages, no other war has forced an entire nation offline to this extent. The monitor added that Iran is the first country to lose previously functional internet connectivity by reverting to a national network. Economic analysts warned that the January shutdown already caused the economy to lose tens of millions of dollars each day in direct damages, with far‑reaching indirect effects. Companies reported that many online businesses could not survive more than three weeks without connectivity, leading to a wave of layoffs and reduced pay raises. One affected worker, Kamran, a product designer in Karaj, said he was dismissed after the latest wave of cuts. He now relies on a local skill‑matching group, but fears competition from thousands of similarly displaced workers. A senior data analyst from a Tehran firm disclosed that the firm is offering lower-than‑expected raises and shifting to three‑month contracts, creating uncertainty about future employment. Compounding the digital crisis, the war has targeted Iran’s steel factories, petrochemical plants and other civilian infrastructure, aggravating pre‑existing problems of high inflation and unemployment. Only a limited segment of the population can access the global internet—either because they are whitelisted by the state or because they pay steep fees for proxy connections that often disappear after a few hours. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that internet access is being granted only to those who can “get the voice out,” such as officials, state‑affiliated entities and news agencies. Citizens on the ground describe a grim reality: frequent power outages, uncertainty about water supplies, and an inability to use services like Google Search or AI tools, even as they watch live feeds from space missions that remain inaccessible. In response to the prolonged shutdown, authorities have begun rolling out a tiered system dubbed “Internet Pro.” Business groups have received a “guide to connect to international internet,” urging them to contact a state‑run messaging app, Bale, for registration. Parallel efforts by a major telecom carrier offer one‑year data packages at prices higher than normal plans, while existing providers have not refunded customers for services they cannot deliver. President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration, which campaigned on unblocking Iran’s internet, has offered no official explanation for the shutdown, leaving both the battered digital sector and the broader economy facing an uncertain future.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare disclosed that a suspected measles outbreak has killed at least 98 children in the past three weeks, prompting an urgent escalation of vaccination efforts in Dhaka’s hardest‑hit districts.Prime Minister Tarique Rahman ordered two senior ministers to tour the nation’s 170 million residents, assess the crisis’s scale, and coordinate a rapid response.Official data released on Sunday show that 6,476 children aged six months to five years exhibited measles‑like symptoms, while 826 cases have been laboratory‑confirmed with 16 confirmed deaths. Health officials note that many cases go untested, meaning the true toll could be higher.According to Halimur Rashid, director of Communicable Disease Control, “Compared with past years, the number of affected children is higher, and the death toll is higher too.” He attributes the surge to multifactorial causes, including a shortage of vaccines.World Health Organization (WHO) records indicate the highest number of suspected measles cases in Bangladesh was 25,934 in 2005. After a long decline, this year’s figures represent a stark reversal.Measles remains one of the world’s most contagious diseases, spreading through coughs and sneezes. While it can affect any age group, children under five are most vulnerable to severe complications such as brain swelling and respiratory failure. WHO estimates up to 95,000 measles deaths globally each year, primarily among unvaccinated or under‑vaccinated children.Bangladesh has previously achieved notable progress in immunisation, yet a scheduled measles‑vaccination drive for June 2024 was postponed after a violent uprising that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Consequently, many children—some as young as six months—missed the routine nine‑month vaccine dose.Mahmudur Rahman, chief of the National Verification Committee of Measles and Rubella, acknowledged the missed target of eliminating measles deaths by December 2025, citing “poor vaccination programmes.”In response, Dhaka has identified 30 districts with the highest case numbers and launched an emergency vaccination campaign. Health Minister Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bakul pledged that the drive will first cover the “worst affected areas” before expanding nationwide.Public‑health expert Tajul Islam A Bari, a former official of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, warned that although funds were allocated for vaccine procurement, the government failed to secure the doses, leading to the current “scary” situation.With no specific treatment for measles once contracted, the focus remains on accelerating vaccine delivery, improving surveillance, and preventing further loss of young lives.

In a highly engaging and chaotic heavyweight boxing match at the O2 Arena in London, Deontay Wilder emerged victorious against Derek Chisora. The fight, which took place on Saturday, saw both 40-year-old Wilder and 42-year-old Chisora exchanging hopeful knockout punches, with both fighters frequently slipping and falling to the canvas.Wilder secured the only knockdown in the eighth round, sending Chisora through the ropes. However, the American was deducted a point in the same round for pushing. Despite this, Wilder did not capitalize on his advantage, allowing Chisora to continue fighting.The judges' scores were split: Wilder received scores of 115-111 and 115-113, while the third judge scored in favor of Chisora with 115-112. This victory improved Wilder's record to 45-4-1, while Chisora's record dropped to 36-14.Post-fight, Wilder expressed his respect for Chisora, stating that he chose not to knock him out, saying, “Tonight, I looked out for him. I want him to live for his kids,”. Chisora, who had indicated that this would be his last fight, was non-committal about his retirement, saying “I’m going to go home with the boss lady and see,”.This was the 50th professional fight for both boxers, with Wilder, a former WBC titleholder from 2015 to 2020, coming off a challenging period having lost four of his last six fights. Chisora, who turned pro in 2007, a year before Wilder, had previously lost his only two title shots against Vitali Klitschko in 2012 and Tyson Fury in 2022.

Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters announced on Saturday that Iraqi ships are free to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical conduit for global energy supplies. This decision exempts Iraq from all restrictions in the strait, with controls only applying to 'enemy countries'.The announcement reflects Iran's easing of its stranglehold on the strait, which has been effectively blockaded since the US and Israel launched their war on Iran on February 28. Despite this, maritime traffic has seen an increase in recent weeks, with 53 transits recorded last week, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence.Iran's military command emphasized its 'profound respect for Iraq's national sovereignty' and praised Iraq's struggle against the US. This move comes in response to US President Donald Trump's demands for Tehran to make a deal or relinquish control of the waterway, warning that 'all hell' would ensue within 48 hours otherwise. Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters rejected Trump's demand, calling it a 'helpless, nervous, unbalanced and stupid action'. The blockade has significantly impacted global energy markets, pushing up fuel prices and prompting emergency energy conservation measures in many countries. Brent crude has hovered above $109 a barrel, with predictions of further price surges if the strait remains blocked. Iraq's oil production, which provides most of Baghdad's revenues, has been particularly affected, falling to 1.2 million barrels a day from 4.3 million barrels.

Martin Ho arrived at Tottenham in July, inheriting a side that had slumped to 11th place the previous season. Within months the club has risen to fifth in the Women's Super League, just three points shy of matching their record 32‑point tally from 2021‑22. With three league games remaining, Spurs are set to face Chelsea in an FA Cup quarter‑final, while a recent League Cup exit saw them lose 2‑1 to Manchester United. Ho, who began coaching at 17 after an unfulfilled stint at Everton’s academy, describes the campaign as a success so far, noting the progress from a “rudderless” squad to a more cohesive unit. He acknowledges the boldness of such a claim before the season ends, especially after consecutive 5‑2 defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal, but stresses that the club’s trajectory is positive. Only two new signings – Norway forward Cathinka Tandberg and Japan defender Toko Koga – joined the roster in the summer, a deliberate move by Ho to assess the existing squad first. "I needed to see the players with my own eyes and apply my coaching methodology," he explained. Ho’s approach draws on his experience as an assistant at Manchester United under Casey Stoney and Marc Skinner, and his earlier head‑coach role at Norwegian side SK Brann. He spent time learning the club’s culture, fanbase and values before implementing changes. Key to the transformation was a psychological reset. Ho told his players that the team must look forward and abandon the disappointment of the previous season. "We asked them to play bravely, press higher and accept that mistakes are part of growth," he said. The 5‑1 loss to Manchester City early in the season became a catalyst. Ho observed that the squad’s response demonstrated a shift in mentality, prompting him to reinforce belief and challenge the players to improve. Consistency has been elusive – three wins from eight league matches – but the side has shown signs of potential, and January brought additional reinforcements. Looking ahead, Ho warns against over‑inflated expectations. "If we promise Champions League football now and fail, it harms everyone," he cautioned, noting that European competition would be premature for a club still building its foundation. He emphasizes the need for steady, sustainable progress rather than a flash‑in‑the‑pan surge. "We must evolve the squad, staff, processes and investment together," Ho said. With a limited pool of elite talent, attracting and retaining players remains a challenge. Ho stresses creating an authentic environment that offers clear development pathways, saying, "When players see their value and a clear route forward, they stay and improve." Born in Liverpool to a Chinese father and English mother, Ho credits his upbringing for his holistic coaching philosophy. He often remarks that coaches are like thieves, constantly borrowing ideas from one another, and strives to adapt those influences into a style that reflects his own vision for Tottenham Women.

In December and January, researchers from the Bob Brown Foundation recorded the unmistakable call of the swift parrot – the world’s fastest bird – in a section of the Wielangta forest, southeast Tasmania, that had already been earmarked for clear‑felling.Dr Charley Gros, a lead scientist on the project, described the call as “tiny but very loud, sharp and quick,” making it easy to distinguish from other forest sounds. Over a two‑month period, the team – assisted by volunteer citizen scientists – logged 68 separate observations, which were later vetted by a government scientist and uploaded to the state environment department’s database.Gros argued that the frequency of detections indicated the area was being used for foraging and nesting, not merely as a fly‑by corridor. “If they’re there every day, that is their habitat,” he said.When the recordings were submitted, the Forest Practices Authority dispatched an ecologist to the site (identified as coupe WT003E) on 10 February. The official report stated that “no swift parrots were observed breeding in the harvest area.” By that time, the forest patch had already been cleared, which Gros noted made the absence of birds unsurprising.The logging operation was carried out by Sustainable Timber Tasmania (formerly Forestry Tasmania). The agency maintained that it operated “within Tasmania’s strict forest‑practice framework” and that “nesting trees are retained and harvested areas are regenerated as native forest,” asserting compliance with environmental regulations.The incident revives a broader debate over whether existing legislation adequately safeguards threatened species. Critics point to the swift parrot’s precipitous decline – a CSIRO‑published guide in 2021 estimated the population at about 750 individuals, down from roughly 2,000 a decade earlier – and warn that without stronger protection the bird could be extinct by the early 2030s. Forestry remains identified as the greatest threat, though government officials have historically downplayed the link.The Bob Brown Foundation accused both state and federal governments of “blatantly ignoring scientific advice” and allowing logging that drives the species toward extinction. A Tasmanian government spokesperson countered that the state’s “science‑based forest practices system” prohibits deforestation of swift‑parrot habitat, emphasizing that regenerated forests will provide future flowering eucalypts.At the federal level, a spokesperson for the Albanese government noted that a regional forestry agreement places responsibility for habitat protection on Tasmania, but an exemption for state‑run forestry from national environmental law expires in 2027. After that date, any logging that significantly impacts threatened species would require approval from Canberra.Environmental campaigners, including the Wilderness Society, have intensified pressure on retailers such as Bunnings to stop sourcing timber from the contested coupe. The society argues that the forest‑certification program awarded to logs from WT003E does not guarantee sustainable practices. Alice Hardinge, the Wilderness Society’s Tasmanian campaigns manager, warned that “customers don’t want to be sold timber that destroys unique forests and pushes the swift parrot to extinction.”Bunnings responded that an internal review found “no evidence to indicate non‑compliance with Tasmanian environmental or logging laws at this site,” reaffirming its commitment to sourcing wood from compliant, well‑managed operations.