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The debate over space exploration has sparked intense discussion, with critics arguing that the vast sums of money spent on it could be better used to address pressing global issues. The Artemis programme, with its $100bn budget, has been singled out as a prime example of such misallocation. This programme's cost could, for instance, fully fund the UN World Food Programme for 10 years, a global initiative that benefits over 150 million people annually in more than 120 countries.On the other hand, proponents of space exploration argue that it is crucial for humanity's long-term survival. They contend that as Earth faces environmental challenges, space could provide a necessary escape route. Moreover, the advancement of technology and knowledge gained through space exploration could have unforeseen benefits for human society.Critics also point out the short-sightedness of prioritizing space travel over solving Earth's problems, such as war and environmental destruction. They suggest that parenting-like responsibility should be applied to space exploration, implying that humanity should focus on solving its current issues before venturing further into space.However, supporters emphasize that space exploration represents a 'shining light of hope' for humanity's future, especially in a world threatened by autocrats and environmental crises. They argue that even small steps in space exploration are necessary for our long-term existence.Ultimately, the question of whether space exploration is worth the money and effort remains a complex and contentious issue. While some see it as a luxury we cannot afford, others believe it is an investment in our future survival.

Michael Jordan, the legendary basketball player, has found a new winning formula in Nascar. His team, 23XI Racing, has stormed to the top of the Cup series standings in 2026, with Tyler Reddick claiming four wins in the first six events, including a victory in the Daytona 500.Jordan's foray into Nascar ownership began in 2021 with a joint venture with Denny Hamlin, a prominent driver and Jordan Brand ambassador. The team's rapid rise to prominence has been fueled by Jordan's competitive drive and leadership style, which he attributes to his basketball background. "I'm cursed with this competitive gene, that anything I do is from a competitive lens," Jordan explained in an interview with CBS's Gayle King.The team's success has not been limited to Reddick, with Bubba Wallace, the No 45 car driver, consistently finishing in the top 11 through the first five races. Jordan's leadership approach, which emphasizes performing at the highest level and taking calculated risks, has drawn comparisons to his basketball career. "He emphasizes doing what you need to do to make sure you're performing at your highest level and taking that game-winning shot," said Dave Rogers, 23XI's senior director of competition.Jordan's entry into Nascar was not without controversy. In October 2025, 23XI Racing filed an antitrust lawsuit against Nascar, challenging the sport's charter system and revenue distribution model. The lawsuit led to the resignation of Nascar commissioner Steve Phelps in January 2026 and ultimately resulted in a settlement between Jordan and Nascar.Jordan's impact on Nascar extends beyond his team's on-track success. He has been instrumental in promoting diversity and inclusion in the sport, launching 23XI Racing with Bubba Wallace, a trailblazer for racial equality in Nascar. Jordan has also engaged with fans and artists, including rappers Fat Joe and Jadakiss, to help bring Nascar into the 21st century.As Jordan told King, "I'm excited that I'm connected to this sport. I feel like I watch it through the lens of my father, or with my family – and that matters to me." With 23XI Racing's impressive start to the season, it's clear that Michael Jordan has found a new passion and a winning formula in Nascar.

Korean fried chicken, also known as yangnyeom chicken, has become a global phenomenon, with a presence in over 60 countries and more than 1,800 stores worldwide.The dish, which originated in South Korea, was introduced by American soldiers after the Korean War. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that a Korean chicken shop owner, Yoon Jong-gye, developed a sweet and spicy recipe that made it distinctly Korean.The cultural breakthrough for Korean fried chicken came in 2014 with the Korean drama My Love from the Star, which became a sensation in China and triggered a surge in popularity for Korean chicken restaurants.Today, Korean fried chicken is the most popular Korean food among international consumers, according to a South Korean government survey. The dish has become a staple in many countries, with chimaek, the portmanteau meaning 'fried chicken and beer,' entering the Oxford English Dictionary.The success of Korean fried chicken can be attributed to its simplicity, technique, and adaptability. Korean chicken brands have expanded internationally, with many offering a range of recipes tailored to local tastes.At the heart of Korean fried chicken's success is its unique cooking technique, which involves double-frying the chicken to achieve extra crispiness. The batter, typically made with potato or corn starch, holds up well under the sauce, allowing it to stay crisp even after being boxed up for delivery.Prof Joo Young-ha, a cultural anthropologist, argues that Korean chicken's global success stems from its simplicity and universal appeal. 'Unlike pork, chicken crosses religious prohibition boundaries,' he says. 'And unlike kimchi, which is treated like a side dish, or bibimbap, which isn't immediately obvious as a dish, fried chicken is immediately recognizable as a meal.'

The New Economics Foundation (NEF) has proposed that the UK government provide subsidized energy to all households, funded through North Sea tax revenues. The plan would ensure that every household receives a set amount of energy at current rates, helping to protect the poorest households from rising energy costs.According to NEF, providing enough energy to heat two rooms, provide hot water, and run key appliances like a fridge and washing machine at frozen rates would require a subsidy of about £4.5bn. This amount is roughly equal to the expected windfall in tax revenues from the North Sea, generated by the high price of oil.The proposed measure, known as a price guarantee, would save all households more than £160 on their annual bills. However, this would amount to a saving of about 17% for those on low incomes compared with 11% for wealthier people. NEF argues that this would encourage those who can afford to pay to reduce their energy consumption and invest in energy-efficient measures.Alex Chapman, a senior economist at NEF, stated that similar measures have been successfully implemented in countries like Japan, South Korea, China, and India, as well as several European countries. He emphasized the need for the government to protect households' ability to meet their essential energy needs and to tax energy companies on their windfall profits.The energy cap is expected to rise by about £388 in July and could reach nearly £2,000 a year for dual-fuel households. NEF's proposal aims to mitigate the impact of rising energy costs on vulnerable households.

Reports have emerged of a substantial escalation in hostilities as Israel carried out 100 air strikes across Lebanon in a remarkably short period of 10 minutes. The incident, which occurred on April 8, 2026, at 16:29:54 GMT, has raised concerns about the intensification of Middle East conflict dynamics. The rapid succession of air strikes by Israel over Lebanon has sparked international attention and concern. Details about the targets, casualties, or specific objectives of these strikes are not provided in the available information. However, such a concentrated military operation within a brief timeframe underscores the volatile nature of regional tensions. This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of Israel-Lebanon relations and the broader Middle East peace process. The international community remains vigilant, monitoring the situation closely for any signs of further escalation or potential humanitarian crises.

Israeli forces launched a series of coordinated strikes across Lebanon on Wednesday, killing dozens and wounding hundreds, just hours after a ceasefire was announced in the US-Israeli war on Iran. The attacks, which targeted areas in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon, were the largest coordinated strike by Israel since it began a new military operation in Lebanon on March 2. The Israeli military carried out a surprise strike on hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists at command centers across Lebanon, according to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz. The strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, with over 100 Hezbollah command centers and military sites hit. Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reported that dozens of people were killed and hundreds wounded in the attacks. The Lebanese Red Cross said 100 of its ambulances were responding to the attacks, with teams working to transport the injured to hospitals. Hospitals were overcrowded, and health officials warned of a dire situation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier stated that the US-Iran truce excluded Lebanon, a country Israel has invaded in a new campaign against the armed group Hezbollah. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attacks, saying Israel was killing 'defenceless civilians' and showing disregard for international law. The violence has resulted in over 1,530 people killed in Lebanon since March 2, including women and children, and over 1.2 million people displaced. The situation remains volatile, with Hezbollah warning of a response from Iran and its allies if Israel does not adhere to a ceasefire.

Israeli air raids have torn through densely populated commercial and residential districts in central Beirut without warning, striking the heart of the capital just hours after a ceasefire was announced in the United States-Israeli war with Iran.Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health reported that dozens of people had been killed and hundreds wounded, stressing that the figures were preliminary and likely to rise as rescue workers sifted through the rubble.Israel had already claimed that the truce did not apply to its conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, despite mediator Pakistan saying the agreement extended to that front as well.The Israeli military described the bombardment as the largest coordinated strike of the current war, with more than 100 Hezbollah-linked targets hit within 10 minutes in Beirut, southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley.Several of the strikes landed in busy commercial areas, sending residents fleeing in panic as sirens wailed and glass and debris carpeted the streets.Lebanon’s National News Agency said at least five neighbourhoods in Beirut’s central and coastal districts were hit.The Israeli military said it had targeted missile launchers, command centres and intelligence infrastructure, and accused Hezbollah of using civilians as human shields.Residents and local officials, however, insisted that the buildings struck were not military sites.While Israel has regularly bombed southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburbs, it had rarely carried out attacks in central Beirut since the latest round of fighting with the group began on March 2.Israeli air strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 1,530 people so far, and have forced at least 1.2 million people to flee their homes.

President Donald Trump has stated that Lebanon was not included in the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, contradicting Pakistan's claim that the truce covers the entire region. This development comes after Israel launched a massive assault on Lebanon, resulting in hundreds of casualties in densely populated areas.Trump described the Israeli conflict with Hezbollah as a “separate skirmish,” indicating that the US-Iran agreement does not extend to Lebanon due to Hezbollah's presence. “Because of Hezbollah, they were not included in the deal,” he told PBS. “That’ll get taken care of, too. It’s all right.”The exclusion of Lebanon from the truce risks jeopardizing the ceasefire across the region. Iranian news outlets have reported that Tehran may take serious steps in response to the Israeli attacks, including potentially suspending oil tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iranian officials have not confirmed these reports.Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced that the two-week truce covers the entire region, specifically mentioning Lebanon. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that attacks against Lebanon would continue, despite the US-Iran agreement.Israel's recent assault on Lebanon has compounded the humanitarian and displacement crises, with over 1.2 million people forced to flee their homes. The attacks included a strike on a funeral in the Bekaa Valley town of Shmestar, killing at least 20 people. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on the international community to intervene and end the aggressions.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) chief Patrice Motsepe arrived in Dakar this week, marking his first visit to Senegal since the body’s controversial decision to strip the nation of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown and hand it to Morocco.Motsepe announced the itinerary at the end of March, pledging to meet leaders in both countries to stress the need for "working together to grow African football" as CAF confronts mounting criticism.President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is scheduled to receive Motsepe at the presidential palace, followed by a joint news conference intended to calm tensions.The visit comes in the wake of CAF’s surprise reversal of the January 18 final, where Senegal had defeated hosts Morocco 1‑0. Citing a breach of regulations concerning players leaving the field, CAF retroactively recorded a 3‑0 victory for Morocco on March 17.During the match in Rabat, Senegal’s squad, head coach Pape Thiaw and staff walked off after Morocco were awarded an added‑time penalty, which forward Brahim Diaz ultimately missed.In response, the Senegalese Football Federation lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), while the Senegalese government demanded an international probe into alleged corruption within CAF.Motsepe, speaking late last month, affirmed that he would respect and implement the CAS ruling, adding that his personal view on the matter was “irrelevant.”