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NASA's Artemis II mission has made history by breaking the record for the farthest human travel from Earth. The four astronauts on board the Orion spacecraft surpassed the previous record of 400,171km (248,655 miles) on Monday at 15:58 GMT, a feat previously achieved by Apollo 13 in April 1970.The mission, which is currently travelling around the far side of the moon, is expected to reach its maximum distance of roughly 406,788km (252,760 miles) from Earth at 23:07 GMT. During this journey, the crew will spend more than six hours analysing and documenting lunar surface features.The astronauts began their landmark day with a message from the late Jim Lovell, who took part in the Apollo 8 and 13 missions. Lovell recorded the message shortly before his death, saying, “It’s a historic day, and I know how busy you’ll be, but don’t forget to enjoy the view. Welcome to my old neighbourhood. I’m proud to pass that torch on to you as you swing around the moon.”Travelling around the moon's far side, the astronauts will witness previously hidden lunar territory, including the Orientale basin, a massive crater that had only been viewed by orbiting cameras on uncrewed missions. Kelsey Young, the lead scientist for the Artemis II mission, highlighted the importance of human observation, stating, “The human eye is basically the best camera that could ever or will ever exist.”The Artemis II crew includes several firsts: Victor Glover will be the first person of colour to fly around the moon, Christina Koch will be the first woman, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen will be the first non-American. The mission is a crucial step towards preparing for subsequent missions like Artemis III in 2027 and a lunar landing as part of the Artemis IV mission in 2028.

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision on Monday that removes a procedural obstacle, allowing the Justice Department to proceed with a motion to dismiss the criminal case against Steve Bannon. The case stems from a 2022 conviction on two counts of contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena issued by the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Bannon, a former chief strategist for President Donald Trump, served a four‑month prison term after the conviction. Although the sentence is now complete, the Justice Department argues that dismissing the case is "in the interests of justice" and has asked the high court to overturn the lower‑court ruling that kept the conviction in place. Attorney Evan Corcoran, representing Bannon, welcomed the development, stating, "It has been one battle after another for five years, but today the Supreme Court vacated an unjust conviction, reaffirming that politics and prosecution don’t mix." A dismissal would expunge Bannon’s conviction from the record, but the practical impact is minimal because he has already completed his sentence. The move is part of a broader pattern of the Justice Department taking actions that benefit allies of the former president since his return to office in 2024. Background: Bannon, now 72, was a key adviser to Trump’s 2016 campaign and served as the White House’s chief strategist in 2017. After a brief fallout, he reconciled with Trump and was released from Danbury federal prison a week before Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Upon release, Bannon declared himself “far from broken” and resumed hosting his "War Room" podcast, continuing to promote the “America First” brand of right‑wing populism. Legal arguments raised by Bannon’s team centered on claims of executive privilege and challenges to the congressional committee’s authority to issue the subpoena. The case unfolds against a backdrop of numerous pardons granted by Trump to individuals convicted in connection with the Capitol riot and other allies facing charges related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election.

South Korean intelligence officials say Pyongyang is deliberately stepping back from its long‑standing partnership with Iran as it seeks to open a diplomatic channel with the United States.The National Intelligence Service (NIS) found no evidence of weapons or material transfers to Tehran since the US‑Israel conflict over Iran erupted at the end of February.Unlike its allies China and Russia, which have issued frequent statements on the Middle‑East war, North Korea’s foreign ministry has released only two muted comments, condemning the US and Israeli attacks but remaining silent on internal Iranian leadership changes.Analysts interpret this restraint as a strategic move to position North Korea for a new diplomatic chapter with Washington once the regional conflict subsides.In a separate revelation, the NIS disclosed that Kim Jong Un appears to be grooming his teenage daughter, Ju Ae—estimated to be around 13 years old—as a potential successor, citing recent footage of her driving a tank.The display mirrors Kim’s own early‑2010s public military appearances, which were designed to showcase his readiness to inherit power.Previously, Kim’s sister Kim Yo Jong was considered a leading heir candidate. She recently praised South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for apologising over a January drone incursion, calling the gesture “wise” and “fortunate.”Lee admitted that government officials were involved in the drone incident and expressed regret, part of his broader effort to repair inter‑Korean ties since taking office.Despite these overtures, North Korea has largely ignored Seoul’s diplomatic initiatives, with Kim labeling South Korea the “most hostile state” in a March policy address.

The Grand National continues to be a major highlight in the horse racing calendar, with its enduring popularity and cultural significance in the UK. Despite ongoing concerns about horse welfare, the event has seen a decrease in serious injuries and fatalities in recent years, thanks in part to modifications made to the course.The Grand National has a long history dating back to 1839 and remains one of the most-watched and highly bet-on events in the sport. While animal rights groups continue to criticize the race, citing concerns over horse safety, the sport's governing bodies have implemented various measures to minimize risks.In recent years, there has been a steady reduction in the number of fallers in the National, with data showing a decline from 8-8-4-4-6-4-5-4-4-0-3 fallers between 2014 and 2025. The 2024 and 2025 runs, with easier fences and a maximum field of 34, recorded the lowest and third-lowest numbers of fallers this century.Despite these improvements, fatalities still occur, and the RSPCA has called for lessons to be learned from recent incidents, emphasizing that 'one death is too many.' The organization has highlighted the need for continued vigilance and improvement in horse welfare and safety protocols.The racing community continues to evolve, with jockeys and trainers working to balance the thrill of competition with the imperative of protecting the animals involved. As the sport prepares for upcoming events, including the Grand National, there is a renewed focus on safety, welfare, and the integrity of the sport.

At Augusta National, Justin Rose’s name appears twice on the bronze winner’s list beside the victories of Sergio García (2017) and Rory McIlroy (2025) – both wins coming after playoffs that Rose lost. Only Ben Hogan shares the dubious distinction of losing two Masters playoffs, though Hogan later won the tournament twice outright.Rose’s record also includes a second‑place finish in 2015, four strokes behind Jordan Spieth. The only player with more runner‑up finishes without ever winning is Tom Weiskopf, who was second four times in seven years.Now 45 years old and entering his 21st Masters, Rose cannot predict if he will ever get as close again as he did last year, when McIlroy’s birdie putt on the 18th sealed a one‑stroke playoff defeat.“When you realise you’re that close, you can taste the victory,” Rose says. “I lived it as if I’d won, but without the real positive emotion – I sensed everything.” He acknowledges the mental rehearsal of the “what‑if” scenario while maintaining that he “did everything he could” and can live with the result.Rose explains his mental formula: “You can’t make a major win too important in the moment,” because a career inevitably includes “a little bit of heart‑ache and heartbreak.” He believes that to win, a player must also be prepared to be on the losing side.Despite the setbacks, Rose feels he has already demonstrated the necessary skill set. “I’ve pretty much done what it takes to win. I just haven’t walked over the line,” he asserts, emphasizing that he does not feel the need to change his approach.Recent form offers optimism. Earlier this year Rose set a new course record at Torrey Pines and became the first player in 71 years to win the Farmers Insurance Open wire‑to‑wire. He notes that eight players have captured the Masters after finishing second the previous year, suggesting his odds improve when the field is considered.Rose is also mindful of external narratives. “People are wishing me well and thinking it’s my year,” he admits, adding that he must manage expectations and craft his own story rather than buying into others’ predictions.

The recent commentary on Donald Trump's presidency has highlighted a critical concern: the world cannot afford to wait for him to leave office. Trump's administration has effectively eroded central tenets of the US legal and civic structure, rendering the traditional checks and balances on political power ineffective.Waiting for the downfall of one individual raises two crucial questions. Firstly, will others with similar politics simply take his place? Secondly, if the country and the world wish to move in a different direction, when can we expect to see a plan?It is essential to remember that changes brought about by Trump's presidency cannot always be easily abolished or replaced. The implications of his actions, and those of his administration, are far-reaching and have significant consequences for global stability.Some argue that faith in the November midterm elections may be too optimistic, as Trump and his administration are already preparing to undermine them. The concern is that he will not allow himself to lose.Others suggest that the media and public have a role to play in puncturing Trump's pride and casting doubt on his legacy. Keeping a running count of the death toll of civilians, children, aid workers, and journalists killed since his presidency began could be one way to hold him accountable.The situation has drawn comparisons to the fall of the Roman Empire, with some warning that the current instability could lead to a similar collapse of political structures. As such, there is an urgent need for a plan to address the consequences of Trump's actions and to work towards a more stable future.

The UK Prime Minister's recent comments on seeking closer relations with the EU are a step in the right direction, but a piecemeal approach to repairing the damage done by Brexit is unlikely to succeed.A more ambitious plan would be for Labour to announce a referendum on whether the UK should open negotiations on re-entry to the EU, promising a general election to secure a mandate to implement the proposal should the British public vote in favour. This would allow the government to seize the initiative and provide it with an issue around which to rally a broad base of electoral support.This approach would also expose the increasing reluctance of Reform UK and the Conservatives to defend Brexit and silence accusations of the betrayal of British voters.Ultimately, it would provide a practical route for restoring Britain to its rightful place within the EU, at a time when shifts in the global order make that task more urgent than ever.

Conservationists and scientists have warned that the Minerals Council of Australia’s proposal to employ artificial intelligence for faster national environmental approvals could generate “Robodebt‑style” failures, further endangering already vulnerable species.The council has asked the federal government to allocate $13 million for a pilot that would use AI to help companies draft assessment applications and assist regulators in decision‑making.The Biodiversity Council – a consortium of independent experts from eleven universities – told Guardian Australia that while AI may assist with routine tasks, automating whole environmental assessments could lead to opaque, flawed decisions that push threatened species closer to extinction.“Robodebt” refers to the automated welfare‑debt recovery scheme that, between 2015 and 2019, wrongly accused hundreds of thousands of Australians of overpayments, highlighting the danger of opaque algorithmic judgments.Lis Ashby, the Biodiversity Council’s lead on policy and innovation, noted that the cornerstone of Australia’s environmental protection, the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, is riddled with vague language and broad ministerial discretion, which hampers rule‑based decision‑making and would be even more problematic for an AI tool.She added that establishing clear rules in the National Environmental Standards, including explicit definitions of unacceptable outcomes, would accelerate assessment times even without AI and is essential for any future automation.Brendan Sydes, national biodiversity policy adviser at the Australian Conservation Foundation, expressed scepticism, stating that “technology can be a good servant but a poor master.” He urged the government to focus on closing existing data gaps on threatened species and habitats rather than relying on AI.Prof. David Lindenmayer, a forest ecologist at the Australian National University and Biodiversity Council member, highlighted that one‑third of Australia’s threatened species have not been monitored and many others suffer from patchy data, gaps traditionally filled by expert consultation.He warned that AI decisions are only as reliable as the data they are fed, and most threatened species lack publicly available information, even basic location data, risking decisions based on outdated or incomplete evidence.The Albanese government recently passed reforms to the EPBC Act after a 2020 review found the legislation failing to protect species and habitats.Prof. Hugh Possingham, a leading conservation biologist at the University of Queensland, argued that AI models need robust training material, and the past two decades of EPBC approvals are “clearly unsuitable” because the Act has demonstrably failed to safeguard the environment. He suggested that hiring more human assessors would be a more effective way to speed up evaluations.Tania Constable, chief executive of the Minerals Council, dismissed the Robodebt comparison as “disappointing,” insisting the proposal is innovative and could strengthen environmental protection while improving efficiency. She said the AI tools would support human decision‑making for both regulators and project proponents, helping navigate the complexity of EPBC assessments.A federal government spokesperson said budget decisions on the AI trial will be made “in due course,” but the environment department is exploring how AI could simplify application processes. The statement emphasized that “decisions about whether to approve projects must, and will, always be made by assessment officers, not by AI.”Nonetheless, officials acknowledged that AI tools have the potential to save time, reduce uncertainty, and translate technical language for stakeholders.

Courtney Lawes, the 37‑year‑old former England captain, is slated to return to the English Premiership after completing two seasons with French club Brive. His departure will be announced at the close of the 2025‑26 season.Lawes, who retired from international rugby following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, moved to France after helping Northampton Saints clinch the 2023‑24 Premiership title. During his 17‑year tenure at Saints, he secured two Premiership championships and two European Challenge Cup trophies.While the specific English club he will join remains undisclosed, the move would render him eligible once again for England selection. Brive’s management expressed support for his decision, noting the club’s appreciation for his contributions.Brive president Thierry Blandinières praised Lawes, stating: “We are very proud to say that Courtney Lawes will have been a Brive player for two seasons. He arrived here with humility and ambition and has shown the full extent of his talent since his first day in Brive.” The club added that Lawes is “one of the legends of world rugby and one of the best back‑row forwards of his generation.”Lawes’ international résumé includes 105 caps, three Six Nations titles, and participation in four Rugby World Cups. He was part of the England side that finished runner‑up in 2019 and secured third place in 2023.Reflecting on his time in Corrèze, Lawes said: “I’m having an experience in Brive that I’ll never forget, both on and off the pitch. I’m going to give it my all until the end of the season to finish this adventure with CAB in the best possible way. My family and I have been very warmly welcomed in Corrèze and we will always have Brive at heart.”