Author: News Desk

Florida: More than 50 years after humans last ventured beyond low Earth orbit, NASA is preparing to launch its historic Artemis II mission, a fully crewed journey around the Moon that is set to captivate hundreds of thousands of spectators along Florida’s Space Coast. Up to 400,000 people are expected to gather across beaches and causeways near Florida ahead of the scheduled 6:24 pm ET launch from the Kennedy Space Center. If successful, the mission will mark the first time since Apollo 17 in December 1972 that humans have travelled beyond low Earth orbit. The Artemis II crew, three Americans…

London: A government-commissioned review in the United Kingdom has found that children and young people may be increasingly encouraged to seek diagnoses for conditions such as Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with experts warning that diagnoses are sometimes being pursued to access support services rather than solely for clinical need. The review, launched in December, suggests that diagnosis is “increasingly being used to secure support,” even in cases where other forms of assistance might be more appropriate. It also cautioned that a rise in diagnoses does not necessarily indicate an increase in the actual prevalence of these conditions,…

Naypyitaw: Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has been nominated for the presidency as the country’s parliament convened on March 30, following a general election widely criticised for excluding major opposition parties. His appointment is considered all but certain, as he has been nominated alongside two loyalists who are not seen as viable challengers. The general, who has faced sanctions from multiple Western nations for leading a military coup five years ago, is expected to secure the presidency without difficulty. The coup triggered a prolonged civil war that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions of people, with significant…

London: More than 75 percent of Premier League fans are against the continued use of Video Assistant Referees (VAR), according to a survey released by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA). The survey, conducted online between February 26 and March 23, gathered responses from nearly 8,000 supporters of top-flight clubs. Results showed that 75.7 percent of fans do not support VAR in football, while 91.7 percent said the technology has diminished the spontaneous joy of celebrating goals. “These findings back up the FSA’s previous survey in 2021, where fans expressed misgivings about the introduction of VAR,” said Thomas Concannon, Premier League…

Sydney: Australia’s states have taken differing approaches to the ongoing fuel crisis, with Victoria and Tasmania introducing free public transport, while New South Wales (NSW) and Western Australia (WA) have decided to continue charging fares. The Victorian government, led by Premier Jacinta Allan, announced that all metro and regional trams, trains, and V/Line buses will be free from March 31 until the end of April. The measure, estimated to cost about $71 million in lost revenue, is designed as a temporary step to reduce fuel demand and encourage people to switch from driving to public transport. During this period, Myki…

Miami: Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated hometown favorite Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in the Miami Open final, securing a spot in an exclusive group of women by completing the coveted ‘Sunshine Double,’ winning both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season. World number one Sabalenka reached the final without dropping a set, winning 73 percent of her first-serve points and facing only two break points en route to victory, in a rematch of the 2025 French Open final, which Gauff had won. “I want to start with Coco. You’re a fighter, and you push me so hard to…

London: Companies with a higher number of women in senior roles are significantly more likely to dismiss employees accused of sexual or physical abuse, according to new analysis of international and UK data compiled by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). The research highlights that organisations with greater female representation in high-earning and leadership positions are ‘significantly more likely’ to take action against perpetrators. In contrast, male-dominated leadership environments are more likely to see victims leaving their jobs rather than offenders being dismissed. A Finnish study cited in the findings also revealed that male employees accused of abuse were more…

Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has begun the travel to Monaco, marking his first visit to Europe since being elected pontiff. The trip has drawn attention among Vatican observers, not least because it comes 488 years after the last papal visit to the principality. The Pope will depart from Vatican City by helicopter for the one-day visit. Upon arrival, he will be received at Monaco’s heliport by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, before being escorted to the royal palace, the residence of the Grimaldi dynasty since the 13th century. The visit marks the first papal trip to Monaco since…

Sydney: Australia’s sunscreen regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has proposed sweeping reforms to the industry following a major controversy that led to dozens of popular sunscreen brands being removed from shelves. The proposed overhaul comes after testing conducted last year by consumer advocacy group Choice found that many sunscreens were not delivering the level of protection stated on their labels. The findings sparked widespread public outrage in Australia, a country considered a global hotspot for skin cancer. An additional investigation by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation raised concerns about a leading laboratory responsible for testing sunscreen efficacy, as well as…

England: Sarah Mullally has officially begun her tenure as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury in the 1,400-year history of the role, marking a transformative moment for the Church of England. Her new position was formally marked during a ceremonial service held at Canterbury Cathedral, where she followed tradition by striking the cathedral’s west door three times. The event signified the beginning of her Public Ministry as both head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The ceremony drew more than 2,000 attendees, including Prince William, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the…