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Nasa’s Artemis II crew and launch schedule revealed

A crewed mission to the Moon, the first in five decades, is potentially slated for launch as early as February, preceding a planned lunar landing.

Nasa is preparing to launch the first crewed Moon mission in over five decades, with a potential liftoff date set for Friday, 6 March.

The image shows four astronauts in bright orange space suits posing for a formal group portrait against a dark background. The suits are bulky with blue joints, straps and pockets, emphasising their technical design. Three astronauts stand behind one who is seated, all facing the camera. They all have fairly neutral expressions, keeping the focus on the uniforms. Mission-style patches and flags, including US and Canadian flags, are visible on their arms and chests. Soft, focused lighting makes the vivid orange suits stand out dramatically. — Artemis II Crew: left Christina Koch, back Victor Glover (pilot), front Reid Wiseman (commander), right Jeremy Hansen

The Artemis II mission is expected to span approximately 10 days, during which the astronauts will venture further into space than any human has before.

This mission aims to pave the way for a future human landing on the lunar surface, marking the first time since the Apollo era of the 1960s and 1970s.

The earliest possible launch date is 6 March, with four additional opportunities available in the first half of the month and five more launch windows in the first week of April.

A potential February launch was scrapped after a pre-flight test, known as a wet dress rehearsal, was aborted due to a hydrogen fuel leak from an umbilical connection between the launch tower and the rocket.

In addition to resolving technical issues, mission planners must also wait for the Moon to reach the optimal position in its orbit, which dictates the timing of launch windows.

As a result, launch opportunities typically arise in a pattern of roughly one week at the start of each month, followed by a three-week period with no viable launch windows.

The Artemis II crew consists of four members: Nasa commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency mission specialist Jeremy Hansen.

Wiseman, a 27-year US Navy veteran, is a pilot and engineer who resides in Baltimore, Maryland. He was selected as a Nasa astronaut in 2009 and previously served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station.

Glover was chosen as a Nasa astronaut in 2013 and has previously flown on SpaceX's Crew-1 mission. He holds three master's degrees and is a native of California with four children.

Koch, who grew up in Michigan, became an astronaut in 2013 and holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman. She also participated in the first all-female spacewalk.

Hansen, a former fighter pilot, joined the Canadian Space Agency in 2009. He will be the first Canadian to travel to the Moon and has previously led astronaut training at Nasa's Johnson Space Centre.

The mission will mark the first crewed flight of Nasa's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion space capsule.

Once in orbit, the astronauts will conduct tests to evaluate the Orion's performance, including manual flight operations in Earth's orbit to practice steering and alignment for future Moon landings.

The crew will then travel to a point beyond the Moon to test the Orion's life support, propulsion, power, and navigation systems.

The astronauts will also serve as test subjects, providing data and imagery from deep space to support future missions.

Graphic showing the Earth and Moon, with the Artemis II's figure of 8 orbital trajectory highlighted. Specific points are labelled. These are: 1. Lift off at the Kennedy Space Centre, 2. Orbit around Earth, 3. Rocket separation, 4. Main engine fires to take spacecraft to the Moon, 5. Lunar flyby, 6. Return to Earth, 7. Crew module separates, 8. Splashdown in Pacific Ocean.

They will work in a small, weightless cabin with elevated radiation levels, although these will remain within safe limits.

Upon returning to Earth, the astronauts will experience a turbulent re-entry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, off the west coast of the US.

The primary objective of this mission is to lay the groundwork for a future lunar landing by astronauts in the Artemis III mission.

Nasa has announced plans to launch Artemis III by 2028, although experts consider this timeline to be ambitious.

The selection of a spacecraft to transport the crew to the lunar surface has not been finalized, with options including SpaceX's Starship lander and a craft designed by Blue Origin.

Additionally, new spacesuits designed by Axiom are still in development.

When Artemis III launches, the astronauts will be bound for the Moon's south pole.

The long-term goal is to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon.

The Artemis IV and V missions will focus on constructing Gateway, a small space station in lunar orbit, which will be followed by additional Moon landings, expansions to Gateway, and the deployment of new robotic rovers.

Multiple countries are expected to participate in maintaining a human presence on and around the Moon for extended periods.

The last crewed Moon mission, Apollo 17, landed in December 1972 and returned to Earth later that month.

An illustration showing how the Artemis II astronauts will be arranged in the Orion crew module at launch. The four astronauts sit reclined, in two rows of two, facing up with their backs to the ground. During the mission the four crew members will spend 10 days in about nine cubic metres of living space. The image shows that the crew module makes up about half of the Orion spacecraft - with the service module being around the same size - and that, on the launchpad, Orion is only a small section of the 98m (320ft) Space Launch System rocket.

In total, 24 astronauts have traveled to the Moon, with 12 of them walking on its surface during the Apollo program. Only five of these astronauts are still alive.

The US initially sent astronauts to the Moon in the 1960s to demonstrate its technological and geopolitical superiority over the Soviet Union. After achieving this goal, interest and funding for Moon missions waned.

The Artemis program was established to return humans to the Moon, with a focus on long-term presence and commercial partnerships.

Several countries have announced plans to send astronauts to the Moon in the 2030s.

European astronauts are expected to join future Artemis missions, while Japan has secured seats on upcoming flights.

China is developing its own spacecraft, aiming to land near the Moon's south pole by 2030.

Russia has expressed intentions to send cosmonauts to the Moon and establish a small base between 2030 and 2035, although its timeline is considered overly optimistic due to sanctions, funding constraints, and technical challenges.

India has also stated its ambition to send astronauts to the Moon, with a target date of around 2040.

Following the successful landing of Chandrayaan 3 near the lunar south pole in August 2023, India's space agency outlined plans to send astronauts to the Moon as part of its human spaceflight program.

Additional reporting was provided by Kevin Church and Emily Selvadurai.

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Aberdeen to unveil new manager soon with Docherty set to take assistant role

Aberdeen has bolstered its interim management team with the return of Tony Docherty, who previously served as an assistant manager, to support Peter Leven, amid anticipation of a permanent appointment announcement that sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel had indicated would be made “imminently”.

Ross County parted ways with Tony Docherty in December, and he has now taken on a new role.

Aberdeen have brought in former assistant manager Tony Docherty to support Peter Leven's interim management team, despite sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel indicating that a permanent appointment was imminent.

Docherty's return to Aberdeen comes just a week after Eirik Horneland, a former coach of Rosenborg, Brann, and Saint-Etienne, emerged as a top contender to succeed Jimmy Thelin, who was sacked earlier.

As Aberdeen delays making a full-time appointment, speculation surrounding Eirik Horneland's availability has arisen, with reports suggesting the 50-year-old Norwegian may not be able to take on the role until summer.

Since Jimmy Thelin's dismissal on January 4, Lutz Pfannenstiel has been leading the search for a replacement, and he confirmed that Tony Docherty would be joining the team to assist Peter Leven during the interim period.

Dundee Utd are facing a challenging schedule, with four matches in 14 days set to take place on a weather-affected pitch.

According to Stavrum, Eirik Horneland's coaching style, characterized by intensity, would be a good fit for Aberdeen.

Tony Docherty initially joined Aberdeen in 2013 as part of Derek McInnes' management team and spent eight years at the club.

Before his stint at Aberdeen, Docherty served as McInnes' assistant at Kilmarnock and later managed Dundee and Ross County, but his time at Ross County ended in December when he was let go with the team at the bottom of the Championship.

Lutz Pfannenstiel praised Tony Docherty's experience, stating that he has a deep understanding of the club and will be a valuable asset during the transition period.

Pfannenstiel highlighted Docherty's extensive knowledge of the Scottish Premiership, gained through his experience as both a coach and manager, which will be beneficial to the team in the short term.

The club's managerial search is nearing its conclusion, and an announcement regarding the new head coach is expected soon, according to Pfannenstiel.

Peter Leven, who is serving as caretaker manager for the third time, expressed his enthusiasm for Tony Docherty's appointment.

Leven welcomed Docherty's return, stating that his experience will be a significant boost to the team, particularly during the upcoming matches.

Leven noted that Docherty was eager to join the team and that his presence will provide valuable support during both training sessions and matches.

Eirik Horneland left his position at Saint-Etienne in early February, at which point his team was fourth in France's second tier.

If Aberdeen decides to wait until summer for Horneland to take over, it will be similar to the six-month delay that occurred when Jimmy Thelin joined the club from Elfsborg in the summer of 2024.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Aberdeen, visit our dedicated page.

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Peter Murrell faces allegations of misusing £459,000 in funds over 12 years

Allegations have been made that he bought various items, such as luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome, in an improper manner.

Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, is facing allegations of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

Peter Murrell looking off to his right while sitting in a room. He is wearing a black suit, white shirt and dark coloured tie. — Peter Murrell is due to appear in court next Friday for a preliminary hearing

An indictment document obtained by BBC News outlines the case against Murrell, who is the estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The alleged embezzlement is said to have occurred between August 2010 and January 2023, according to the indictment.

It is claimed that Murrell used party funds to purchase luxury items, including jewellery, cosmetics, and vehicles, such as two cars and a motorhome.

The Scottish Sun was the first to report on the details of the indictment.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled to take place at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, 20 February, where Murrell is expected to appear.

During his initial court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Murrell made no plea and was subsequently granted bail.

Murrell's arrest in 2023 was part of Operation Branchform, a police investigation into the SNP's funding and finances, which led to him being charged with embezzlement in April 2024.

A police van and a police officer outside Murrell's home in April 2023. — Murrell was arrested in 2023 as part of a probe into the SNP's finances

Although Sturgeon was questioned by police as part of the investigation, she is no longer considered a suspect.

BBC News has obtained a copy of the indictment against Murrell ahead of his upcoming court appearance.

It is worth noting that the indictment is subject to change until the case is heard in court and may be amended throughout the judicial process.

The indictment alleges that Murrell purchased a £124,550 motorhome for personal use and created false documents to justify the expense as a legitimate party expenditure.

Murrell is also accused of using £57,500 of party funds to buy a Jaguar I-PACE car in 2019, and falsifying an invoice to conceal the true nature of the purchase.

Furthermore, it is alleged that when the Jaguar was sold in 2021, Murrell deposited more than £47,000 into his personal bank account.

The indictment also claims that Murrell embezzled £16,489 from the SNP to partially fund the purchase of a Volkswagen Golf in 2016.

A list of over 80 retailers is included in the indictment, where Murrell allegedly made purchases totalling more than £159,000 between 2014 and 2022, using party credit or charge cards for personal expenses.

The retailers named in the indictment include Harrods, the Royal Mint, John Lewis, Homebase, and Argos, among others.

It is alleged that Murrell used SNP credit or charge cards to make these purchases and then inserted false or inaccurate accounting codes and descriptions into the party's accounting systems.

The indictment also accuses Murrell of making purchases worth over £81,600 through Amazon using the same method.

Murrell served as the SNP's chief executive for 22 years before his departure.

Murrell and Sturgeon were married in 2010, but announced their separation in January 2025, after being together for many years.

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Bangladesh Nationalist Party Wins Landslide in Country’s First Poll Since Youth-Led Protests

The public is looking forward to a shift back to democratic governance, following a 15-year period of authoritarian leadership by Sheikh Hasina.

In a significant shift in the country's political landscape, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has achieved a decisive majority in parliament, 18 months after widespread protests led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, the country's longest-serving prime minister.

Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) show a victory sign in front of a banner with Tarique Rahman’s photo, as the results project BNP's victory in the 13th general election, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 13, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain — Tarique Rahman has been out of the country for 17 years. He has promised democracy will be restored

The BNP secured over two-thirds of the seats in the recent general election, with the Jamaat party, the main Islamist party in the country, coming in second; meanwhile, the Awami League, led by Hasina, was not allowed to participate in the election.

As the BNP's leader, Tarique Rahman is poised to become the next prime minister, facing significant challenges in revitalizing the economy and restoring democratic principles after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Hasina's leadership.

In a concurrent referendum, voters also expressed support for comprehensive democratic reforms, which are expected to shape the country's future.

Following Friday prayers in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman expressed gratitude to his supporters, stating, "I am grateful for the love you have shown me"; his party has chosen not to hold a victory procession.

Rahman, who was elected to parliament for the first time, was among the 212 successful BNP candidates; according to the Election Commission, voter turnout was 59.44%.

This marks a significant turnaround for Rahman, who spent 17 years in self-imposed exile in London before taking over as party leader after his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, passed away in December.

During his campaign, Rahman pledged to restore democratic principles and practices in the country.

The new government will need to address pressing issues, including economic revitalization, controlling rising food prices, and creating employment opportunities for the country's large youth population.

Rebuilding relations with neighboring India is also a key priority for the incoming government.

In the aftermath of his victory, Rahman received a congratulatory call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who acknowledged his "remarkable victory".

Modi took to social media to reaffirm India's commitment to promoting peace, progress, and prosperity in both countries, citing their deep historical and cultural ties.

Although the BNP has pledged to bring about change, the party has faced criticism in the past for corruption and alleged human rights abuses during its previous tenure in government in the early 2000s.

The recent election represents a pivotal moment for the country, with one of the two main parties achieving a significant victory, presenting both opportunities and risks.

Proposed constitutional reforms include introducing term limits for the prime minister, establishing a directly elected upper house of parliament, strengthening presidential powers, and increasing judicial independence.

The reforms also aim to increase female representation in parliament, an area where significant progress is still needed, as evidenced by the limited number of successful female candidates in the recent election.

As the newly elected leader, Tarique Rahman will face intense scrutiny as he works to deliver on his promises to a predominantly young electorate eager for change, many of whom participated in the student-led protests that ultimately led to Hasina's removal and paved the way for the February 12 election.