The United Nations is choosing a new Secretary-General to succeed António Guterres in January 2027, with eight candidates currently in the race. The article explains who the candidates are, how the Security Council and General Assembly make the final decision, and why the five permanent Security Council members hold enormous influence over the outcome. It also asks a larger question: what kind of leader does the UN need in a time of war, geopolitical tension, technological change and declining trust in global institutions

Can the United Nations adapt to the realities of the modern world? This article explores UN reform, Security Council veto power, institutional privilege, global agreements, and how collective intelligence could help turn good ideas into practical solutions.

NASA’s newly launched Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is beginning an ambitious mission to explore some of the universe’s greatest mysteries, including dark matter, dark energy, and distant galaxies. With a field of view far wider than Hubble’s, Roman is also expected to discover thousands of planets beyond our solar system and give scientists an unprecedented large-scale view of the cosmos.

Icelandic voters rejected a proposal to restart negotiations on joining the European Union, with 52.8% voting against the move. Concerns about protecting Iceland’s fishing industry and national control played an important role, while supporters argued that closer EU integration could bring greater economic stability. The result means Iceland will remain outside the EU while continuing its close economic and political relationship with Europe.