Christian music played a meaningful role during day six of NASA’s Artemis II mission, as astronauts were awakened to the song 'Good Morning' by TobyMac and Mandisa. The moment was especially poignant because Mandisa died in April 2024, with TobyMac expressing gratitude and reflecting on the honour of their music reaching space. The wake-up playlist also included a variety of popular artists, creating an uplifting start to the crew’s day. Victor Glover, who has been open about his Christian faith, used the mission’s milestone near the moon to share a message centred on Christ’s teaching. He reminded listeners that the greatest commandment is to love God fully and to love one another, even while exploring the vastness of space. Christian artist Anne Wilson also contributed to the mission by performing the national anthem at the launch, describing the opportunity as a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and guidance through life’s unexpected paths.

TV personality David Harper, known for Bargain Hunt and Antiques Roadshow, spent much of his life sceptical of Christianity, influenced by atheism in his upbringing, and drawn instead to alternative spiritual paths. Despite professional success, he found fame and material gain deeply unsatisfying, leaving him searching for meaning. The turning point came through his daughter’s remarkable recovery from severe depression after encountering Jesus. Motivated to investigate, he undertook an eleven-month intellectual exploration of Christianity, applying the same rigour he used in historical research. He concluded that creation points to an intelligent designer and became persuaded of the historical reality of the resurrection. However, it was not evidence alone that changed him, but the undeniable transformation he saw in lives - including his daughter’s and eventually his own. Harper now describes himself as born again, finding deep joy, purpose, and fulfilment in a personal relationship with Jesus - something he believes surpasses all worldly success.

Keir Starmer has travelled to Saudi Arabia to engage with Gulf allies following the two-week ceasefire between the USA and Iran. Although the visit was planned prior to the ceasefire announcement, it now carries added significance as diplomatic efforts focus on securing a lasting peace and reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz. Starmer said that while the ceasefire has brought a sense of relief, much work remains to ensure stability and restore freedom of navigation. He underlined the importance of keeping energy supplies flowing to stabilise global markets and UK prices. During his visit, he is also meeting British military personnel stationed in the region, expressing gratitude for their role in protecting national and allied interests. The prime minister reaffirmed the UK’s position of not becoming directly involved in the conflict without a lawful and strategic basis, prioritising national interests, long-term planning, and international cooperation in a complex and uncertain geopolitical landscape.

There is growing pressure on the Government to reconsider its ban on new North Sea oil and gas exploration as energy prices rise and concerns increase over supply security. Recent polling indicates that around half of Britons support lifting the ban, particularly amid fears that international conflict, including tensions involving Iran, could disrupt energy supplies and drive up household costs. Public opinion also reflects strong backing for government intervention if energy bills continue to rise, with many calling for subsidies or increased taxation on energy companies to ease the burden on households. However, others warn that such measures could increase national debt and place further strain on public finances. Some argue that expanding domestic oil and gas production would strengthen economic resilience and reduce reliance on imports, while others maintain that new drilling would not significantly lower prices. Environmental groups continue to advocate for long-term investment in cleaner energy solutions instead. See

A groundbreaking new cancer trial is offering fresh hope to children and young people facing rare and aggressive cancers. The study, known as ‘Mighty’, will recruit up to sixty patients across the UK and the US to test CAR T-cell immunotherapy, a cutting-edge treatment which trains a patient’s own immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells. With research centred at University College London, the trial focuses on cancers that are often resistant to conventional treatments. These include rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and other soft tissue sarcomas, which primarily affect children and young people. Researchers say that childhood cancers behave differently from adult cancers, requiring more targeted and less harmful treatments. CAR T-cell therapy has already shown promise in some blood cancers and is now being explored for solid tumours. Experts believe this innovative approach could significantly improve outcomes, offering renewed hope to families where existing treatments have failed or cancer has returned.

A long-serving Waitrose employee has been offered a new job after being dismissed for confronting a shoplifter. Walker Smith, who had worked at the Clapham Junction branch for seventeen years, was sacked after intervening in the attempted theft of Easter eggs, which led to a brief struggle. He later expressed regret but said he acted out of frustration after witnessing frequent thefts over several years without being permitted to intervene. Lord Richard Walker, executive chairman of Iceland, publicly offered Mr Smith a job, praising his initiative. The case has sparked wider debate, with some politicians criticising Waitrose’s decision as unjust, while others emphasise the importance of prioritising staff safety. Waitrose maintains that its policies are designed to protect employees and customers, discouraging staff from engaging directly with shoplifters due to potential risks. The retailer stated that proper procedures were followed, including an appeals process.

A concerning rise in online sextortion cases among children in the UK has been revealed, with nearly 400 incidents reported to the Report Remove helpline last year - a 23% increase. Alarmingly, 98% of these reports came from boys aged 14 to 17, highlighting a significant and growing vulnerability among young males. Sextortion involves criminals coercing children into sharing sexual images and then blackmailing them - either for money or further content - under threat of exposure. The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) confirmed a sharp increase in overall reports of sexual imagery, with over 1,100 verified cases in 2025 alone. Experts warn that shame, fear, and isolation often prevent young people from seeking help, while the psychological impact can be severe and long-lasting. Encouragingly, increased reporting suggests growing awareness and willingness to seek support. There are calls for stronger safeguards, including technology to prevent image-sharing and better-targeted education to protect vulnerable children.

The Church of England is preparing to issue a formal apology for its involvement in forced adoptions which affected tens of thousands of unmarried mothers between 1949 and 1976. During this period, many women were sent to church-run mother and baby homes, where social stigma and institutional practices led to babies being taken for adoption, often without genuine consent. Testimonies from women such as Jan Doyle highlight the harsh conditions and lasting trauma experienced. Sent to a home as a pregnant teenager, she recalls physical hardship and emotional pain, with her son taken shortly after birth. They were only reunited decades later. A draft apology acknowledges the Church’s role in a system now recognised as harmful, expressing deep sorrow for the lifelong impact on mothers and children. Researchers and campaigners believe such an apology could help reshape understanding of this painful history and bring some measure of healing. Pressure is also increasing on the Government to issue its own formal apology.

Mark Rutte faces a critical moment as he visits Washington to engage with Donald Trump amid renewed uncertainty over the NATO alliance. Tensions have grown because of disagreements over military involvement in Iran and concerns about burden-sharing among member states. The fact that most European nations have resisted Trump’s appeals to support the USA militarily has prompted him to lash out against them and issue threats about leaving the alliance. Rutte’s priority will be to reassure Trump while allowing member states to maintain independent positions on Iran. His diplomatic approach, though controversial among some allies, is seen by observers as necessary in navigating a fragile geopolitical landscape. One commentator has said, ‘There is clearly an effort to steer the administration towards a more rational approach to NATO. If Rutte can calm tensions at a moment when the stakes are so high, then he should at least try.’

With elections due to take place on 12 April, Viktor Orbán is facing a significant challenge after sixteen years in power, as opposition leader Péter Magyar is well ahead in most opinion polls. While visiting Budapest, JD Vance has publicly expressed support for Orbán, while sharply criticising the EU. He also repeated unsubstantiated claims that Kyiv had become involved in the election campaign. Orbán recently accused Ukraine of a ‘terror attack’ when Serbia announced that explosives had been found near a gas pipeline, but Magyar claims that this was staged to boost Orbán’s chances of re-election. Considerable attention is being paid to the country’s difficulties in accessing oil and gas, and also to Orbán’s close ties with both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Recent scandals appear to have dented his popularity: private telephone conversations have been leaked between foreign minister Szijjártó and top Russian officials, and transcripts suggest that he regularly informs them about confidential discussions at EU summits. The outcome of the election is likely to shape Hungary’s future role within Europe, as well as its domestic political landscape.