The passing of a pope sets in motion a series of centuries-old processes, but Pope Francis recently approved plans to make the whole procedure less complex.

The new discovery of chemicals in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting a red dwarf, that may indicate an abundance of aquatic life, is some 124 light years from Earth.

With voting spread across six time zones, polling booths will all close within three hours of each other to enable a winner to be announced by the following morning.

The German parliament plans to meet to elect Friedrich Merz as the country’s new chancellor if members of all the parties in his proposed government approve a coalition deal.

China, which dominates both the mining and processing of rare earth metals, is restricting their export to the United States as part of its response to President Trump’s punitive tariffs.

The United States economy is set to lose billions of dollars in revenue in 2025 from a pullback in foreign tourism and boycotts of American products.

A Maryland judge is demanding that President Donald Trump’s administration return a man it admits was mistakenly deported to a mega-prison in El Salvador.

Pope Francis has declared Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, dubbed “God’s architect” for his work on Barcelona’s Sagrada Família, “Venerable”, a pivotal step toward sainthood.

Sudan’s civil war has displaced 13 million people, the UN estimates, as the conflict between the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces enters a third year.

Europe experienced its most widespread flooding last year since 2013, as fossil fuel-driven climate change pushed the continent to endure its hottest year on record.

Germany’s chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz says Berlin is willing to supply Ukraine with Taurus missiles, as he emphasised the need to help Kyiv in its conflict with Russia.

Israel fired missiles at Gaza City’s last fully functional hospital, as the country’s defence minister said its forces would expand their offensive in the shattered Palestinian enclave.

Meta is facing off against the federal government in an antitrust trial over claims that it illegally squashed competition by buying Instagram and WhatsApp.

A number of significant deals have been inked with the U.S. to buy the F-35, either to expand existing fleets or to replace old aircraft with the fifth-generation fighter.

The UK has announced a further £450 million of military aid to Kyiv, as European allies attempt to strengthen Ukraine’s position ahead of any peace deal with Russia

Spot gold prices topped a record $3,200 an ounce as investors ditch U.S. assets and seek a safe haven amid the global economic uncertainty.

Mass layoffs affecting at least 20,000 federal employees and the resignation of an SEC lawyer have raised widespread concern over potential conflicts of interest.

Stock values for the Magnificent Seven Big Tech companies rose by a combined $1.5tn – but still failed to regain the $2tn lost last week.

Record renewables growth helped push clean power past 40% of global electricity in 2024, but heatwave-related demand spikes also led to an increase in fossil-fuels.

Electricity demand from data centres is projected to more than double by 2030, primarily driven by artificial intelligence applications, according to the IEA.

The highest U.S. tariffs in more than a hundred years came into force on Wednesday, including 104% on Chinese goods as well as further levies on around 60 countries.

Donald Trump launches an assault on the global trade order, imposing a barrage of tariffs on U.S. imports in a move that compounds fears over the world economy.

Tesla’s Q1 2025 deliveries are down 13% on the previous quarter, shipping 336,681 vehicles instead of the forecast 390,000 – its worst showing since 2022.

As President Trump attempts to equalise tariff rates between the U.S. and major trading partners, the scale of deficit the U.S. encounters differs wildly across nations.

Scientists at the world’s biggest particle accelerator, have revealed plans for a much larger successor, which aims to solve the remaining enigmas of physics.

Israel’s defence minister says the military will expand its operation in Gaza and seize large areas of the territory – incorporating them into so-called security zones.

Donald Trump says he is “not joking” about seeking a third term as U.S. president, while some of his supporters speculate on possible ways to bypass the Constitution.

Betavolt is mass-producing a nuclear battery that is smaller than a coin, produces no external radiation and can generate power for 50 years without recharging.

The iconic London route will feature one of the greatest elite marathon fields, with Ruth Chepngetich and Eliud Kipchoge set to battle against champions and Olympians.

The NBA play-offs begin, with the Oklahoma City Thunder, showcasing points guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the Cleveland Cavaliers heading the conference seeds.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has “great concern” about the future of Max Verstappen at the team if improvements to poor car performance are not rapidly remedied.

Host team Inter Miami will open the tournament with a clash against Al Ahly of Egypt at the Hard Rock Stadium. Twelve stadia will stage 63 matches over four weeks.

The United States hosts the inaugural edition of the expanded 32-team FIFA World Cup Cup, replacing the showpiece held from 2000-2023 featuring continental champions.

Rory McIlroy achieved golfing immortality at Augusta National, beating Justin Rose in a dramatic sudden-death play-off to claim the career Grand Slam – winning all four majors.

Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton has endured a stuttering start to his Ferrari career, intensifying pressure on the British driver to deliver a first podium in Ferrari colours.

The 2025 Giro d’Italia begins in Albania and ends in Rome three weeks later after covering 3,413km, including two individual time trials, one in Tirana, and five mountain stages.

The Copa Libertadores, South America’s premier club competition, kicks off. Botafogo are defending champions having secured their first ever title in 2024.

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders opened the 18th edition of the IPL with defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The final takes place on May 25.

The high-octane action of the new Formula 1 World Championship gets underway in Australia on Sunday. Be on pole position with our exclusive enhanced coverage

McLaren begin the defence of their Constructor’s World Championship when the 76th F1 season commences at the Australian GP, with nine other teams contesting the title.

The FIA has introduced new rules to prevent drivers overheating ahead of a major overhaul in 2026 to include new power units with built-in cooling.

Boston hosts the second of an expanded seven elite World Marathon Majors – the world’s oldest annual marathon – with Sydney set to join the field in August.

The 2025 MotoGP championship marks the centenary of the first ever motorcycle TT – the race evolved into the TT Circuit Assen, one of the most iconic events in the sport.

The 2025 MotoGP season comprises 22 Grands Prix, commencing with the Thailand GP in March and concluding in Valencia, Spain, in November.

Aprilia and world champion Jorge Martin lead the eleven teams competing in the 2025 season, commencing with the Thailand GP and concluding in Valencia in November.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the world’s highest paid athlete – according to sports business lead, Sportico – one of 12 earning over $100m. Coco Gauff is the top-earning female athlete.

Spanish giants Real Madrid have become the first football club to generate more than €1bn in annual revenue, according to analysis by Deloitte’s Football Money League report.

The 80th edition of La Vuelta a España, cycling’s final Grand Tour of the year, will feature more than three weeks of racing and 21 stages, covering a distance of 3,180km.

The draw sees hosts Inter Miami open the tournament against Egyptian side Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium on June 15, while the MetLife Stadium stages the final on July 13.

The route begins in Lille, and includes two time-trials, lung-busting mountain stages in the Alps – peaking at 2,300m – before the traditional Champs-Élysées finale.

The 79th season launches with the Boston Celtics as reigning champions after beating Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, clinching record 18th championship.