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This weekend the night sky will showcase a blue micromoon – a rare alignment of a second full moon in a calendar month and a moon at its most distant point from Earth.Understanding the Dual Phenomenon: Blue Moon Meets MicromoonA "monthly blue moon" occurs when a second full moon appears in the same calendar month, as explained by Dr Greg Brown of the Royal Observatory Greenwich. A micromoon happens when the full moon coincides with the moon’s apogee, making it appear roughly 6% smaller than a typical full moon and about 14% smaller than a supermoon.Numbers Behind the Rarity: Frequency and Size DifferencesBlue moons: roughly every 2‑3 years.Micromoons: 2‑3 times per year.Combined blue micromoon: about once every 20‑30 years.Size reduction: ~6% smaller than average full moon, ~14% smaller than a supermoon.Why Stargazers Should Take Note: Visibility and Cultural ContextThe full moon peaks on 31 May at 9.45am BST (4.45am ET, 6.45pm AEST). For observers in the UK the moon will have set, but it remains visible throughout the night on Saturday and Sunday, appearing lower in the northern hemisphere sky and higher in the southern hemisphere. The event also revives the “once in a blue moon” expression, though the phrase likely stems from the rarer blue‑tinged moon caused by atmospheric particles.Looking Ahead: When the Next Blue Micromoon Might AppearAccording to Brown, the next UK blue micromoon is projected for 2066, while parts of the US may see one as early as 2053. Until then, enthusiasts can enjoy this once‑in‑a‑few‑decades spectacle.

Louisiana lawmakers approved a new congressional map on May 30, 2026 that eliminates one of the state’s two majority‑Black districts and is designed to give Republicans a fifth House seat.The Senate Passes a GOP‑Targeted Congressional MapVote: 28‑to‑10 in the state Senate.Current delegation: Republicans hold four of six seats.Goal: Secure a fifth seat by reshaping district boundaries.Numbers Behind the New District PlanMap removes one majority‑Black district represented by a Democrat.District 2 is re‑drawn to concentrate more Democrats, improving Republican performance elsewhere.Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign the map.Implications for Voting Rights and State PoliticsThe plan follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s April 30, 2026 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which struck down the previous map as an illegal racial gerrymander, weakening the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Democrats warn the new map could trigger further legal challenges and describe it as a “vicious race to the bottom.”What Comes Next: Litigation and Election TimingACLU of Louisiana signals intent to sue.Primary election moved from May 16 to November 3 and opened to all parties.Additional lawsuits are expected as the map is implemented.National Redistricting Battle ContextSouthern states are using the weakened Voting Rights Act to redraw lines, with Republicans aiming to gain up to 15 seats nationwide, while Democrats project gains of six seats in other states.

Lead: Socceroos' final warm‑up against Mexico could decide World Cup rosterThe Socceroos travel to Los Angeles’ historic Rose Bowl to face co‑hosts Mexico in what is being billed as the last opportunity for several players to secure a spot in Australia’s 2026 World Cup squad.Mexico friendly as Popovic's selection crucibleCoach Tony Popovic has framed the match as a practical test against elite opposition and a chance to observe players before the final squad is submitted on 1 June. The game also offers a glimpse of how the team will adapt to conditions ahead of their opening World Cup fixture against Turkey on 14 June.Numbers shaping the squad race29 players are currently in the training camp, competing for 26 roster spots.The 2026 World Cup features an expanded field of 48 teams.The friendly takes place on 30 May 2026 at the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles.Australia’s first World Cup match is scheduled for 14 June 2026 against Turkey.Impact on Australian football and player futuresThe outcome will directly affect the fate of several fringe players, including goalkeepers Patrick Beach, Joe Gauci and Paul Izzo, as well as outfielders such as Milos Degenek, Kye Rowles, Kai Trewin and Jason Geria. The late inclusion of Cristian Volpato, a former Italy youth international, adds further uncertainty, potentially pushing a defender out of the final list. A strong performance could also cement the roles of emerging talents like Brandon Borello and Nishan Velupillay.What to expect after the Mexico testIf Popovic sees the desired qualities in his selections, the final 26‑man squad will be announced shortly after the match, with limited scope for changes before the tournament, except for injury replacements. Success in the friendly could boost team cohesion and confidence heading into the group stage, while any disappointment may force last‑minute adjustments that could influence Australia’s chances in the expanded World Cup.

The Shocking Upset Alex de Minaur was blown out of the French Open just when opportunity had knocked deafeningly for all the would-be contenders. With Jannik Sinner's sensational exit having made everyone believe their chance could be at hand, de Minaur's enduring dream was this time dynamited by young Czech powerhouse Jakub Mensik 0-6 6-2 6-2 6-3 in the third round. Mensik's Remarkable Comeback Mensik, who had collapsed on court and had to be ferried to the medical centre in a wheelchair after his four-hour 41-minute epic win over Mariano Navone on Wednesday, was outrageously good, and rebounded from a horror opening set to utterly dominate. De Minaur's Disappointing Performance De Minaur, who had been nearly flawless in the opening exchanges, was suddenly being hurried into errors – 17 in the second set – as he lost seven games in a row across the second and third stanzas, looking increasingly bereft at the number of mistakes he was making. The Match in Numbers Mensik won 16 straight points in the first set, 'bagelling' de Minaur 6-0. De Minaur made 17 errors in the second set. Mensik won 5 games in a row to take the second and third sets. The Impact on Australian Interest De Minaur's loss leaves Daria Kasatkina as the only Australian left in the singles draws. She will have her work seriously cut out to ensure there's any Australian interest as she faces world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Lead: Sleep Deprivation Emerges as a Possible Driver of Early-Onset CancerResearch presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting in Chicago suggests that irregular sleeping patterns could be a significant, yet modifiable, risk factor for cancers diagnosed before age 50.The Study Linking Sleep Disruption to Early-Onset CancerTwo investigations led by MD Anderson Cancer Center analysed health records of over 18 million U.S. adults aged 18‑50. Participants with chronic insomnia showed a markedly higher incidence of bowel, breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers compared with well‑rested peers.Key Numbers Highlight the Scale of the IssueGlobal early‑onset cancer cases rose from 1.82 million (1990) to 3.26 million (2019), an 80% increase in three decades.Cancer deaths among people in their 30s, 40s, or younger climbed 27% over the same period.In the MD Anderson cohorts, insomnia was associated with up to three‑fold higher cancer risk within five years.Why This Matters for Public Health and Clinical PracticeThe data position sleep quality alongside genetics and lifestyle as a potential lever for curbing the surge in early‑onset cancers. Experts caution that the studies show association, not causation, but note that sleep deprivation can impair immune function and promote behaviours (smoking, poor diet, reduced exercise) that are already linked to cancer.Looking Ahead: Research, Screening, and Prevention StrategiesStakeholders anticipate a wave of longitudinal studies to test whether improving sleep can lower cancer incidence. In the meantime, clinicians are likely to incorporate sleep assessments into risk‑stratification tools, while public‑health campaigns may emphasise sleep hygiene alongside anti‑smoking and sun‑safety messages.

The UN's Controversial Blacklist AdditionThe United Nations has confirmed placing Israel on a blacklist of countries suspected of committing sexual violence against civilians, with Russia also added to the list. The decision, part of a "conflict-related sexual violence" report released on Friday, has prompted Israel's foreign ministry to announce it will sever all ties with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.The UN cited "credible information" regarding sexual violence committed by Israeli security forces against Palestinian detainees in prisons and other detention centers, noting that UN inspectors had been denied access to these facilities. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon countered that the UN had been invited to check the allegations but chose not to come.Detailed Allegations Against Israeli ForcesThis year's UN report stated that in 2025, "the United Nations verified multiple incidents of conflict-related sexual violence, including as a form of torture, inflicted against 14 men, seven women, nine boys and one girl from the Gaza Strip and the [occupied] West Bank."The report detailed that 13 of these attacks occurred in 2024, with 18 more recorded in 2023 and 2024. The violations included "rape, including with objects, gang rape, attempted rape, physical violence to the genitals, instances of targeted shooting of the genitals, touching of breasts and genitals, strip and cavity searches conducted without apparent security justification, forced nudity and threats of rape."Rape and gang rape were perpetrated against nine victims, primarily Palestinians from Gaza, according to the report. The assaults occurred mainly during detention and interrogation at military camps, checkpoints, and during Israeli military operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Survivors included journalists and human rights defenders, with some violations being filmed or photographed.Russia's Addition to the BlacklistThe latest UN report also contains harrowing descriptions of abuses attributed to Russia's military, following "findings of continued patterns of sexual violence documented." The UN human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine had verified 310 cases of conflict-related sexual violence perpetrated by Russian armed and security forces.These cases included rape, gang rape, genital mutilation, electric shocks and beatings to the genitals, injuring 280 men, 26 women and four girls. The report's annex lists 77 parties deemed responsible for patterns of conflict-related sexual violence, including 62 non-state actors, with new additions including three non-state armed groups operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Global Surge in Conflict-Related Sexual ViolenceThe report reveals that nearly 10,000 cases of conflict-related sexual violence were recorded worldwide last year – more than double the previous year's figure. Pramila Patten, the UN official who authored the report, stated that this increase marks a "very disturbing trend" that represents only the "very tip of the iceberg.""This number can be attributed to the fact that we are going through a time when we have a record number of extremely violent conflicts, and the fact that perpetrators are feeling emboldened by a context of impunity, where this crime is almost cost-free," Patten explained.Diplomatic Fallout and Future ImplicationsBeing added to the UN blacklist does not automatically carry specific punitive measures such as sanctions, although public naming and shaming can cause significant reputational damage for the states involved. Those repeatedly listed are barred from UN peacekeeping operations.The UN official noted that she had made several requests for information on preventive measures implemented by Israel but "did not get any response on the substantive aspect." While Israel had extended an invitation for a visit, disagreements about the scope and related issues of access and cooperation ultimately led to its suspension due to Israel's war on Gaza.The addition of Israel and Russia to the blacklist comes at a time of heightened tensions between these nations and the United Nations, with the report likely to further strain diplomatic relations and potentially influence international policy decisions regarding these conflicts.

Global Study Quantifies Gender Attractiveness Gap Across AgesThe research team led by Dr Eugen Wassiliwizky at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics compiled the world’s largest dataset on facial attractiveness, drawing from 52 studies across 76 countries.Numbers Behind the Gap: 1.5 Million Ratings Reveal 60% Preference1.5 million attractiveness ratings17,000 distinct faces evaluated30,000 individual ratersAverage female face rated more attractive than 60% of male facesGap strongest in Western cultures, present across all sexual orientationsWhen participants rated themselves, the gender gap vanished, underscoring the role of external perception.Implications for Evolutionary Theory and Social PerceptionThe findings revive debate over Darwinian sexual selection. While Darwin noted male ornamentation in many species, he considered humans an exception where male competition dominated. This study suggests a universal bias toward rounder, more feminine facial structures, which may be linked to infant‑like features rather than purely cultural norms.Historical language—"the fairer sex", "le beau sexe"—reflects a long‑standing perception that the research now quantifies.Future Research Directions and Societal ShiftsAs the attractiveness gap diminishes after age 80, researchers hypothesize that facial structural differences shrink with age, reducing perceived bias. Ongoing work will explore:Neuro‑cognitive responses to facial roundness across agesCross‑cultural variations beyond the current datasetPotential impacts on age‑related social dynamics and media representationThe study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, calls for cautious interpretation but highlights a robust, global pattern that challenges purely cultural explanations.

Why Fans Are the Smart Summer Cooling ChoiceThe Guardian’s award‑winning tech journalist measured 16 fans and several evaporative coolers to see how they perform against a typical portable air‑conditioner that draws 1,000W (about 26p per hour). Fans in the test consumed between 8W and 60W, delivering a far lower electricity bill and carbon footprint while still moving enough air to make a noticeable temperature drop.Power Consumption Numbers Show Fans Beat Air‑ConditionersAirCraft Lume – 18W on top setting; could run 56 hours for the cost of one hour of air‑con.Dreo TurboCool misting fan 765S – 22W, best overall cooling performance.Devola desk fan – 12W, cheapest at £64.99.Shark FlexBreeze Pro Mist – 30W, premium misting option at £249.99.Swan Nordic evaporative cooler – 15W, lowest‑energy water‑based cooler at £69.Cooling Comfort Meets Carbon Savings for UK HouseholdsRunning a fan instead of an air‑conditioner can cut summer electricity use by up to 95 %, translating into lower bills and reduced greenhouse‑gas emissions. For a typical UK home, swapping a 1,000W air‑con for an 18W fan saves roughly £23 per month and avoids about 0.12 tCO₂ of emissions.What’s Next for Home Cooling in a Warming Climate?As heatwaves become more frequent, manufacturers are likely to focus on quieter, smarter fans with integrated sensors that adjust speed automatically. Expect more hybrid designs that combine low‑energy misting with airflow optimisation, giving consumers a wider menu of carbon‑friendly cooling solutions.

The British Solving Championship: An Opportunity for Chess Enthusiasts This week’s puzzle is a chance to enter an annual national competition in which Guardian readers ­traditionally perform well and in ­considerable numbers. White in the diagram, ­playing as usual up the board, is to play and checkmate in two moves, against any black defence. The Event Details The puzzle is the first stage of the annual Winton British Solving Championship, organised by the British Chess Problem Society and sponsored by the investment ­managers ­Winton. This competition is only open to ­British ­residents and entry is free. To take part, simply send White’s first move by post to Nigel Dennis, Boundary House, 230 Greys Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 1QY, or by email to [email protected]. Entry Requirements and Deadline All entries must be postmarked or emailed no later than 31 July 2026. Entrants must provide their name and home address. Juniors under 18 on 31 August 2025 must also give their date of birth. The Competition Structure The best 15-20 players from the postal round, plus the best juniors, will be invited to the final at Harrow school on Saturday 13 February 2027, where the prize money is expected to be at least £1,600. The winner of the final will have the right to represent Great Britain at the 2027 world ­solving championships, an event where GB are often medal contenders. A Note on Chess and Professionals Back in the 1950s most top English players were amateurs, often civil servants or teachers, who competed in tournaments during their vacations. After the 1970s Fischer boom and English successes brought an influx of sponsors, chess professionals could earn a decent living, but the tide turned again during the 1990s. The breakup of the Soviet Union brought harder international competition, while Nigel Short’s world title defeat and the move to screen rather than print marketing drove sponsors away. A New Grandmaster: Harry Grieve Harry Grieve became England’s latest grandmaster on Tuesday when the 25-year-old, who was British champion in 2022 and helped CSC/Kingston finish second in this season’s UK 4NCL League, won first prize in Budapest with a 7/9 total.