The Times

NASA's Artemis II mission is set to fly astronauts around the moon for the first time since the Apollo era more than 50 years ago. The long gap has drawn attention to why the United States took so long to resume crewed lunar missions, with explanations pointing to shifting political priorities, funding fluctuations, and technical setbacks across successive programs since Apollo ended in 1972.

CBS News reports that the U.S. military is laying the groundwork for possible action around Cuba. Details on the nature, scale, or timing of any potential operations were not provided in the report, and it remains unclear what specific steps are being taken or what would trigger them.

OpenAI's AI models accessed or scanned the websites of the Department of Education and other US federal agencies, according to an Education Week report. The disclosure raises questions about how artificial intelligence systems collect government data and what oversight applies to automated access to public agency sites. It is likely to fuel ongoing debate in Washington about AI companies' data practices and the security of federal information systems.

Manchester City's dispute with the Premier League reached a dramatic climax, in what is being described as a day that shocked football. The New York Times reports on the fallout and asks what follows for the club and the league after the ruling. The outcome has major implications for financial rules, club autonomy and how English football's top flight regulates its wealthiest members going forward.

A long-standing dispute dating back to World War II is straining an alliance that Ukraine considers pivotal to its defense, according to the Wall Street Journal. The report highlights how historical grievances between partners supporting Kyiv are complicating cooperation at a time when Ukraine depends heavily on unified Western backing to sustain its war effort against Russia.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Iran 'will never seek to build a nuclear bomb,' speaking ahead of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The pledge, reported by APT, comes as Tehran seeks to reassure the international community about its nuclear programme and shapes expectations for Iran's diplomatic posture at the New York gathering.

Formula 1 has released the qualifying highlights for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, drawing millions of views and engagement from fans worldwide. The session on the tight Baku street circuit sets the grid for the next race of the 2026 season, and viewers are reacting to the lap times, surprises and mistakes from qualifying.

Ukraine launched a record drone attack on Moscow, leaving parts of the Russian capital ablaze on the final day of Russia's presidential election. The strike, one of the largest on the city since the war began, coincided with voting in which President Vladimir Putin sought a new term. Ukrainian officials described the operation as a demonstration that Russia's rear areas are no longer safe.

The Ukrainian Air Force says its MiG-29 jets struck a Russian command post in the northern sector of the front. According to the unit, Russian forces had been concentrating personnel in the building for some time while also moving equipment and ammunition into the site, making it a significant target.

Singapore has put forward a proposal for a United Nations framework convention on artificial intelligence safety, according to the Straits Times. The initiative would aim to create an international agreement setting common standards for the safe development and use of AI, positioning Singapore as an active voice in global AI governance debates.

Canada has called for stronger international partnerships, warning that the global order is facing a 'rupture'. The appeal, reported by UN News, frames multilateral cooperation as essential at a time of mounting geopolitical strain. Canada's message positions itself as a defender of the rules-based international system and closer collaboration among nations.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany have met for the first time since 2022, holding talks on the margins of the United Nations. The meeting marks a rare direct diplomatic contact between Moscow and a major European power since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and is being closely watched for signs of any shift in relations.

Ukraine carried out drone strikes targeting Moscow on the first day of Russia's presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin is seeking another term. The attacks on the Russian capital on election day are being widely discussed as a symbolic show of force, undermining the Kremlin's narrative of normalcy and control while voting takes place during the ongoing war.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is set to announce a new 'Help to Buy'-style scheme next week called 'Your First Home'. Reports say it would allow young people to buy their first home with a deposit of just 2.5%, a far lower barrier than most mortgages require. The proposal is drawing heavy attention online, with many debating whether such low-deposit buying would genuinely help first-time buyers or fuel house price inflation.

The Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in South Texas, once described as a "crown jewel" of American protected spaces, is running out of time, according to reporting by Gaige Davila for the Texas Observer. A last-ditch lawsuit is attempting to slow border wall construction through the refuge until Congress can intervene, as advocates warn the refuge's habitats and wildlife are at risk.

The Israel Defense Forces say they have discovered a 600-meter-long tunnel in Gaza, which they describe as a Hamas terror hideout. Footage shared by Indian outlet Times Now shows what the military says happened to the structure after its discovery, with the army reporting the tunnel was subsequently destroyed. The find adds to ongoing IDF operations targeting the extensive underground tunnel network in Gaza, and viewers are following the footage closely amid continued conflict in the region.

The United Nations Secretary-General has delivered a pointed message to the world's major powers, declaring that 'their power isn't so super' in remarks widely read as a veiled criticism of Donald Trump. The comments are being framed as a challenge to big-power dominance and a call for multilateralism, drawing strong reaction and debate about the UN's standing against Washington.

Singapore's National Library Board is trialling a micropayment scheme that rewards people financially for reading, in an effort to encourage reading habits at a time when attention is dominated by phones. Early discussion centres on whether small cash incentives can genuinely change behaviour, with commenters debating whether paying for reading cheapens intrinsic motivation or is a pragmatic public-policy tool.

The United States has rejected a United Nations declaration on preparing for future pandemics, according to a New York Times report. The declaration was intended as a framework for international cooperation on outbreak readiness. Details on the U.S. objections and the implications for global health coordination were not immediately available in the report.

Professors warn that the race among parents to give their children an advantage has intensified to unprecedented levels, with families investing more time, money and effort than ever in activities meant to boost their kids' prospects. The commentary taps into broader anxieties about education, college admissions and raising children in an increasingly competitive environment.

Poland's central bank is described as trapped in a political contest, according to the Financial Times. The report highlights growing tensions around the institution, suggesting its independence is under pressure amid a broader struggle over political influence in Poland. The row adds to scrutiny of the bank's leadership and policy decisions at a sensitive moment for the country's economy and institutions.

A new Guardian documentary, 'Prison Letters', follows Max, a 14-year-old struggling with climate anxiety, as he writes letters to climate activists who have been imprisoned for direct action. The film traces his search for hope and his quest to understand the human stories behind protest movements and why so many climate demonstrators have served time in prison.

Germany has for the first time formally committed to phasing out fossil fuels, setting a target date of 2045. The pledge, reported by the Guardian, marks a significant step in the country's climate policy and signals a planned end to reliance on coal, oil and gas. Reaction online has been largely focused on the ambition of the timeline and what it means for Europe's largest economy.