News

In the aftermath of Tokyo-based company ispace’s second failed attempt to land an exploration vehicle on the moon, National Public Radio reported, “Long the province of governments, the moon became a target of private outfits in 2019, with more flops than wins along the way” (June 6, 2025).

Mexico’s infamous drug cartels are known around the world. They skirt the law. They violently defend their illegal interests. They control officials and pay off law enforcement personnel. And they recruit children to assist in their schemes (Reuters, May 28, 2025).

Germany’s former foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, has been elected as the president of the United Nations General Assembly (AP News, June 2, 2025). In spite of Russia’s call for a secret ballot, Ms. Baerbock won the election with an overwhelming 167 votes—nearly double the 88 necessary to win. Ms. Baerbock’s one-year term will begin in September, at the opening of the 80th session of the organization.

Almost a mile below the surface of the earth, in the U.S. state of South Dakota, scientists are building a machine that they hope will reveal why the universe exists (BBC, May 20, 2025). The DUNE project (Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment) is a collaboration between 1,400 scientists from 35 countries.

Recent developments with the Russo-Ukrainian war have created an opportunity for a new mediator of the conflict. “Pope Leo XIV… has signaled that the Vatican might be willing to mediate.