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Peruvians are heading to the polls to elect their ninth president in less than a decade, a period marked by political instability and corruption scandals that have led to widespread voter disillusionment.Since 2018, Peru has seen eight presidents, with a high turnover rate marred by impeachments and corruption scandals. This has resulted in weak governments and a lack of trust in the political system.On Sunday, 27 million Peruvians are eligible to vote, with polling stations across the country opening at 7am (12:00 GMT) and closing at 5pm (22:00 GMT). Preliminary results are expected shortly afterwards.The presidential ballot features 35 candidates, including a comedian, a media baron, a political dynasty heiress, and a hard-line ex-mayor. However, all major candidates continue to poll well below the 50 percent needed to win the election, making a June 7 run-off appear likely.The most well-known candidate is conservative Keiko Fujimori, who will make her fourth presidential bid. Her candidacy remains polarizing due to her family legacy, with her father, former President Alberto Fujimori, convicted of human rights abuses and corruption.Other notable candidates include Ricardo Belmont, a former mayor of Lima, and Carlos Alvarez, a popular comedian who has campaigned on a platform of being tough on crime. Peru's homicide rate has more than doubled in the past decade, making crime a major concern for voters.Many Peruvians, however, remain disillusioned with the political system and the available candidates. A fruit seller in Lima told the Reuters news agency that she was still undecided on who to vote for, saying "Peru is a mess, and there's no candidate worth voting for." A clothing merchant also shared similar sentiments, stating "We've been governed by nothing but corrupt, thieving scoundrels."

Asha Bhosle, the iconic voice of Bollywood for over seven decades, has died at age 92 in Mumbai, according to her family. The two‑time Grammy nominee passed away on Sunday at Breach Candy Hospital, where she had been admitted for "extreme exhaustion" and a chest infection. Her son, Anand Bhosle, confirmed the news to reporters, stating, "My mother passed away today. Her last rites will be held tomorrow at Shivaji Park in Mumbai." Throughout her prolific career, Bhosle recorded more than 12,000 songs in multiple Indian languages, shaping the soundscape of Bollywood cinema from the 1970s through the 1980s and beyond. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow, describing himself as "deeply saddened" by the loss of a cultural legend whose music resonated across generations. The nation now prepares to bid farewell to a figure whose contributions to Indian music remain unparalleled, with funeral services set for Shivaji Park, a venue symbolic of her enduring legacy.

Amid decades of recurring hostilities, observers are questioning whether Israeli society has become accustomed to a perpetual state of war. The discussion centers on how sustained security threats might shape public attitudes, civic life, and policy priorities, potentially normalising a war‑ready outlook. Critics argue that this conditioning could erode democratic debate and limit aspirations for peace, while proponents suggest it reinforces national resilience and preparedness. The debate underscores the broader challenge of balancing security imperatives with the desire for a stable, civilian‑focused future.

“The world is grown so bad that wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch,” wrote Shakespeare in *Richard III*. The line now echoes a hopeful development: the iconic golden eagle could once again soar over England after more than a century and a half of absence. The golden eagle, a bird with a wingspan of roughly 2 metres, was a common sight in Shakespeare’s England, yet it has been effectively extinct in the country since the death of the last native individual in 2015. Centuries of persecution by gamekeepers and farmers, who feared predation on lambs and game birds, drove the species to the brink. A feasibility study commissioned by Forestry England and released on Sunday pinpoints eight potential “recovery zones”—predominantly in northern England—where the habitat could sustain a viable eagle population. The report cautions that establishing breeding pairs may take **more than a decade**. In response, Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds announced an additional £1 million in species‑recovery funding. The money will underwrite a programme that could see juvenile eagles, aged six to eight weeks, released into the wild as early as next year. Reynolds said, “This government is committed to protecting and restoring our most threatened native wildlife – and that includes bringing back iconic species like the golden eagle. Backed by £1 million of government funding, we will work alongside partners and communities to make the golden eagle a feature of English landscapes once again.” Across the border, golden eagle numbers in southern Scotland have surged to record levels thanks to a major restoration project. Satellite tracking shows that some translocated Scottish birds are already venturing into northern England, offering a natural source of future colonisers. The new funding will support these cross‑border movements and enable targeted reintroductions. While experts anticipate that golden eagles could be regularly observed across northern England within 10 years, establishing a self‑sustaining breeding population will require a longer horizon. Mike Seddon, chief executive of Forestry England, explained, “The detailed findings of our feasibility study will guide us, with our partners at Restoring Upland Nature, to take the next steps toward recovering golden eagles in northern England. This DEFRA funding means we can build on the good work we have begun, engaging local communities, landowners and conservation organisations.” The £1 million allocation forms part of a broader £60 million species‑recovery fund announced by DEFRA. It aligns with the UK’s legally binding commitment to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030 and to reduce extinction risk by 2042 relative to 2022 levels.

The Artemis II astronauts received a thunderous welcome home on Saturday after completing a record-breaking flyby of the moon. The crew of four, consisting of commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada's Jeremy Hansen, arrived at Ellington Field near NASA's Johnson Space Center and Mission Control in Houston. During their nearly 10-day mission, the astronauts voyaged deeper into space than the moon explorers of decades past, reaching a maximum distance of 252,756 miles (406,771km) from Earth. They also captured views of the lunar far side never witnessed before by human eyes. The mission revealed a new side of our planet with an Earthset photo, showing our blue marble setting behind the gray, pockmarked moon. Koch described the experience, saying, "Honestly, what struck me wasn’t necessarily just Earth, it was all the blackness around it. Earth was just this lifeboat hanging undisturbedly in the universe," Koch said. "Planet Earth, you are a crew." The homecoming was poignant, as they returned to NASA's Houston base on the 56th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 13. The Artemis II mission is a crucial step towards NASA's goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2028. Wiseman issued a rallying cry to the rows of blue-flight-suited astronauts at Saturday's celebration, saying, "It is time to go and be ready – because it takes courage. It takes determination, and you all are freaking going and we are going to be standing there supporting you every single step of the way in every possible way possible."

Tyson Fury, the Gypsy King of boxing, has once again called out Anthony Joshua for a highly anticipated superfight, but the question remains: will it ever happen? The two British boxing legends have been talking about facing each other for over 10 years, but the bout has been plagued by delays, postponements, and cancellations. Following his dominant victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Fury expressed his desire to fight Joshua next, stating, "I've no idea" if the fight will happen. Despite Joshua's presence ringside, he refused to give a definitive answer, citing the need for time to recover from a tragic car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends. Fury, who has been chasing Joshua for a decade, sounded perplexed by Joshua's evasive response. "He didn't give an answer," Fury said. "In my opinion, he didn't want no smoke. He didn't look like he wanted it. He was shell-shocked." Fury emphasized that he has given Joshua the respect and space he deserves, especially after his recent personal tragedy. Joshua, on the other hand, appeared dismissive, stating "Contracts are being sent over and you’ll probably see us in the ring next, more than likely." When asked if he needed a warm-up fight, Joshua quipped, "Good question. That [Fury] could be a warmup fight, based on what I saw tonight." Fury dismissed the suggestion that Joshua needed a proper test against a real boxer before stepping into the ring with him. "It’s another stumbling block. He’s just knocked a man spark out," Fury said. "I’ve just come off a win. Let’s get it on. He’s 36. I’m 37. What’s the holdup?" The two fighters have had a long and complicated history, with Fury noting, "If it ain’t Anthony Joshua next I’m not interested in boxing. I’ll eat a thousand Easter eggs, go up to 35 stone. I’m out. It’s either him or I’m gone again. I’m not interested in up-and-comers. I’m not interested in someone trying to prove a point over me. I don’t care about rankings or belts. I only care now about AJ. That’s the defining fight for British boxing."

Two planes of Iranian negotiators, many from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, arrived in Pakistan to confront a 21‑hour deadline for talks that span two decades of nuclear tension and new strategic concerns such as control of the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. compensation for past attacks.The United States responded with a delegation that included Vice‑President JD Vance and roughly 300 officials, signaling a recognition that Iran’s seasoned team—featuring figures like Ali Bagheri Kani and former chief negotiator Abbas Araghchi—was well‑prepared.During the marathon, Vance held multiple conversations with former President Donald Trump and, notably, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Iranian officials claimed the Netanyahu call hardened the U.S. stance, underscoring the delicate diplomatic balance.Veteran negotiators Robert Malley and Aaron David Miller warned that the time frame was either too long for a mere reiteration of rejected demands or far too short for genuine negotiation, highlighting a strategic misreading of Tehran’s position.Vance concluded the session by presenting what he described as a “best and final offer,” leaving the door open for further dialogue pending Iranian acceptance.Meanwhile, President Donald Trump signaled an intention to impose a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a move that could inflate global oil prices and further destabilize the region.Iran’s objectives included drafting a memorandum of understanding to extend a tentative ceasefire and address three core issues: an end to Israel’s offensive in Lebanon, a governance framework for Hormuz shipping, and the disposition of its highly enriched uranium stockpile, whether through UN‑supervised down‑blending or export to a third party.Vance emphasized the need for an affirmative Iranian commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon or the rapid pathways to one, a demand that intersects with ongoing debates about Iran’s sovereign right to enrich uranium—a capability currently null after recent U.S. strikes.In practice, Iran is already exercising selective control over Hormuz traffic, allowing 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil and 4 million barrels of Saudi oil to pass, a tactic described by an Iranian parliamentarian as a “continuous atomic bomb” that provides strategic depth.Beyond the diplomatic impasse, Iran confronts severe domestic challenges: hyperinflation approaching triple‑digit levels, an internet blackout threatening economic activity, and a political climate marked by assassination threats. These pressures compound the difficulty of achieving a sustainable peace settlement.

Wout van Aert broke a ten‑year drought at the Paris‑Roubaix on Sunday, out‑sprinting world champion Tadej Pogacar in one of cycling’s toughest cobbled classics. Both Van Aert and Pogacar suffered punctures during the race, as did their fellow Belgian rival Mathieu van der Poel, who endured two mechanical issues and was unable to contest the final sprint. Van Aert’s victory secured his second Monument title, following his 2020 Milan‑San Remo win. After neutralising Pogacar’s repeated attacks on the cobbles, Van Aert unleashed a decisive burst of speed on the Roubaix Velodrome, crossing the line ahead of the world champion. Jasper Stuyven completed the podium, finishing 13 seconds behind the winner. Van der Poel, who was chasing a fourth consecutive Paris‑Roubaix triumph, fell to fourth place after a mechanical problem on a treacherous sector cost him more than two minutes. “It’s everything to me, it’s been a goal since I first did this race. I stopped believing a lot of times but I would start believing again the next day,” Van Aert said, reflecting on the personal significance of the win after years of bad luck in the “Queen of the Classics.” The Visma‑Lease a Bike rider dedicated his victory to former teammate Michael Goolaerts, who tragically died after a cardiac arrest in the 2018 edition of the race. “Arriving for a final sprint with the world champion and beating him in a sprint is very special,” he added. Pogacar entered the race after clinching the first two Monument classics of the season – the Milan‑San Remo and the Tour of Flanders – and was aiming to become the first Tour de France champion to win Paris‑Roubaix since Bernard Hinault in 1981.

The United States’ senior envoy, Vice President JD Vance, said the marathon talks in Islamabad collapsed because Iran would not abandon its nuclear weapons programme, a stance Tehran’s representatives dismissed as a lack of US goodwill. Vance, who departed Islamabad on Sunday after a 21‑hour session with Iranian officials, reiterated that Washington’s red lines required an "affirmative commitment" from Tehran that it would not pursue a nuclear weapon or the means to acquire one quickly. He described the stalemate as "bad news for Iran much more than it is for the United States." Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf countered that, despite offering "constructive initiatives," the US failed to win the trust of the Iranian delegation, leaving it to Washington to decide whether it can regain that confidence. Iran’s foreign ministry downplayed expectations, stating that no one anticipated a deal in a single session and emphasizing continued regional contacts, while the semi‑official Tasnim news agency blamed "excessive" US demands for the impasse. The talks took place under a 14‑day ceasefire agreed by the US, Iran and Israel, with Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar urging both sides to honour the pause and offering to facilitate renewed dialogue. The conflict, which began on 28 February, has already claimed over 3,000 lives in Iran, more than 2,000 in Lebanon, and dozens across the Gulf region, while inflicting extensive infrastructure damage. Israeli security cabinet minister Ze’ev Elkin warned that Iran is "playing with fire," even as he left the door open for further negotiations. These were the first direct US‑Iran talks in more than a decade and could determine the fate of the fragile ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for roughly 20 % of global energy supplies. The war has already sent international oil prices soaring. In addition to Vance, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and former President Trump’s son‑in‑law Jared Kushner met with Ghalibaf and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi for two hours before a brief recess. The Iranian delegation arrived in black mourning attire for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and carried shoes and bags belonging to children killed in a school bombing near a military compound—a strike the Pentagon says is under investigation, with some reports suggesting US involvement. Pakistani security forces sealed off Islamabad, a city of over two million, underscoring Pakistan’s newly prominent mediating role after a year of diplomatic isolation. The US military announced it was "setting conditions" to clear mines and allow warships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a claim Iran’s state media denied. Prior to the talks, a senior Iranian source told Reuters that the US had agreed to release frozen Iranian assets held in Qatar and other banks, a statement the US later denied. Tehran’s broader demands include control over the strait, payment of war reparations, a region‑wide ceasefire—including in Lebanon—and the collection of transit fees from shipping traffic. President Trump’s minimum objectives remain the free passage of global shipping through the strait and the crippling of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capability to prevent the development of an atomic bomb.