CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The four astronauts making NASA’s next lunar leap bear little resemblance to the Apollo era.

The Americans who blazed the trail to the moon more than half a century ago were white men chosen for their military test pilot experience. This first Artemis crew includes a woman, a person of color and a Canadian, products of a more diversified astronaut corps.

None of them were alive during NASA’s storied Apollo program that sent 24 astronauts to the moon including 12 moonwalkers. They won’t land on the moon this time or even orbit it, but the out-and-back journey will take them thousands of miles deeper into space than even the Apollo astronauts ventured, promising unprecedented views of the lunar far side.

Here’s a look at the Artemis astronauts whose mission aims to pave the path for future moon landings:

Commander Reid Wiseman

Leading the nearly 10-day mission is a widower who considers solo parenting — not rocketing to the moon — his biggest and most rewarding challenge.

Wiseman, 50, a retired Navy captain from Baltimore, was serving as NASA’s chief astronaut when asked three years ago to lead humanity’s first lunar trip since 1972. His wife Carroll’s death from cancer in 2020 gave him pause.

He’d spent more than five months at the International Space Station in 2014, and his two teenage daughters, especially the older one, had “zero interest” in him launching again.

“We talked about it and I said, ‘Look, of all the people on planet Earth right now, there are four people that are in a position to go fly around the moon,” he said. “I cannot say no to that opportunity.”

The next day, homemade moon cupcakes awaited him, along with his daughters’ support. The toughest part isn’t leaving them — “it’s the stress that I’m putting on them,” he said.

Open with his daughters about everything, he recently told them where he keeps his will.

Pilot Victor Glover

As one of NASA’s few Black astronauts, Glover sees his presence on the mission as “a force for good.”

The 49-year-old Navy captain and former combat pilot from Pomona, California, makes it a habit to listen to Gil Scott-Heron’s “Whitey on the Moon” and Marvin Gaye’s “Make Me Wanna Holler” from the white-dominated Apollo era.

“I listen to those for perspective,” he said. “It captures what we did well, what we did poorly.”

The ability for him now to offer hope to others is “an amazing blessing and a privilege.” Despite having one spaceflight behind him — an early SpaceX crew run to the International Space Station — he finds himself in new personal territory. His four daughters are in their late teens and early 20s, “and I spend as an much time and thought preparing them as NASA does preparing me.”

He’s hyper-focused on running “our best race so that we can hand the baton off to the next leg” — a 2027 practice docking mission in orbit around Earth between an Orion crew capsule and one or two lunar landers. The all-important moon landing would follow in 2028 with yet another set of astronauts.

Mission specialist Christina Koch

The last time Koch blasted into space, she was gone almost a year, so she’s not sweating a quick trip to the moon and back.

The 47-year-old electrical engineer from Jacksonville, North Carolina, holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman — 328 days. She took part in the first all-female spacewalk during her lengthy stay at the space station in 2019.

More than any one individual, “it’s about celebrating the fact that we’ve arrived to this place in history” where women can fly to the moon, she said.

Before she got called up by NASA, Koch spent a year at a South Pole research station. Between that and her space stint, she feels she’s “inoculated” most of her family and friends.

“So far, I haven’t gotten too many nerves from folks. Maybe my dog, but I’ve reassured her that it’s only 10 days. It’s not going to be as long as last time.”

Her and her husband’s rescue pooch is named Sadie Lou.

Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen

The Canadian fighter pilot and physicist is making his space debut, stressful enough, but also serving as his country’s first emissary to the moon.

“Maybe I’m naive, but I don’t feel a lot of personal pressure.”

Hansen, 50, grew up on a farm near London, Ontario, before moving to Ingersoll and pursuing a flying career. The Canadian Space Agency selected him as an astronaut in 2009, and he was named to the Artemis crew in 2023.

He realizes only now how much effort it took to send men to the moon during Apollo.

“When I walk out and I look at the moon now, it looks and feels a little bit farther than it used to be,” he said. “I just understand in the details how much harder it is than I thought it was watching videos of it.”

Dangers still loom — something he’s shared with his college-aged son and twin daughters. “The most likely outcome is that we will come back safe. There’s a chance we won’t, and you will be able to move through life even if that happens,” he assured them.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

The Insolvency Service announced this week that Sundas Ali, who’s last known address was in Great Lever, has been banned from running companies for four years.

The service said that Ali, 32, had breached her duties as a director of New Zak Services Ltd by failing to abide by The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

A statement said: “Sundas Ali has breached her duties as a director of New Zak Services Ltd by failing to ensure that it complied with legislative requirements in that company did not comply with its statutory obligations under The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, resulting in the employment of one illegal worker.

The Insolvency Service issued a ban (Image: Newsquest)

“Home Office Immigration Enforcement (HOIE) after investigating the company issued a Notification of Liability for a Civil Penalty of £10,000 in respect of the employment of these illegal workers, payment of which was due on or before September 15, 2023.

“Company has paid £2,222.24 of the fine due to HOIE.

“Sundas Ali was an appointed director of the company at the time of the breach of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality legislation.” 

According to Companies House, the business was mainly a retailer that focused on food, drink and tobacco.

A winding up notice on Companies House said that New Zak Services Ltd’s trading address was found on Springfield Road in Kearsley, where it traded as MHP News.

The registered office was moved to The Copper Room Deva City Office Park, Trinity Way, Manchester, as part of the liquidation process.

Companies House shows that New Zak Services Ltd was first incorporated on April 18, 2017.

It was dissolved on March 2 this year, with its last accounts made up to April 30, 2023, and its last confirmation statement dated July 8, 2023.

The Insolvency Service says that Ali had been a director of the company at the time the breach happened.

It says her ban from being a company director will start from March 27, 2026 and will remain in force for the next four years.

Huge ‘No Kings’ protests against Donald Trump and the far-right have swept across the US.

People opposing Trump’s policies, like the Iran war, ICE and rising prices, gathered in major cities yesterday, with banners and effigies against the US president, JD Vance and other government top brass.

Organisers of the protests said they hoped the latest No Kings outing could attract millions of people.

While most of yesterday’s action is believed to have been peaceful, in West Palm Beach, Florida, tensions were high after Trump supporters engaged in verbal altercations with No Kings protesters.

The protesters came face to face with competing flags and signs, with swearing and shouting until the police intervened, CNN reports.

In the metropolitan Los Angeles region alone, 40 protests were planned, including at the police detention centres.

Some clashes were reported between the demonstrators and the police, with officers launching tear gas at the people near the Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal prison, according to the LA Times.

In London, an estimated half a million people gathered in London for ‘the biggest demonstration ever against the far right’, organisers said.

Protesters carrying placards saying ‘No to racism, no to Trump’, and ‘Refugees welcome’ marched through the capital to Whitehall amid a heavy police presence, with officers lining the streets.

Organisers said their estimates showed they had successfully outnumbered the Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom rally in London in September.

That demonstration – organised by right-wing activist Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – was attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people, while about 5,000 were involved in an anti-racism counter-demonstration.

There were several incidents of violent disorder which left some police officers injured on that occasion, and the event was condemned at the time by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who said it had left people feeling ‘more scared than they were before’.

On Saturday, organisers said people had gathered for a ‘peaceful’ demonstration against ‘hatred and division and racism’.

Rally co-organiser Kevin Courtney, chairman of the coalition, told crowds gathered on Whitehall: ‘Our estimate is now that there are half a million people on this demonstration – the biggest demonstration ever against the far right.

‘And it gives us all confidence to carry on. Thank you very much.’

Speakers included former Labour MP Diane Abbott, who now sits as an independent in Parliament.

She told a cheering crowd: ‘The turnout today is the largest anti-racist march that I have seen in my lifetime, and you should all be proud of yourselves for coming out in such numbers today.’

Sabby Dhalu, who is joint secretary of the Together Alliance and co-convenor of Stand Up To Racism, said the UK is seeing an ‘unprecedented growth’ in support for far-right organisations – but that she believed the size of attendance on Saturday had ‘intimidated the far right’ away from a counter-protest.

Speaking before the event, she said: ‘The Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom demonstration back in September 2025 was the biggest far-right mobilisation in British history.

‘We believe that the majority of British people stand against the hatred and division and racism that was being encouraged at that demonstration and by these types of organisations, and it’s time to act.’

Asked if she was concerned about potential counter-protests and disorder, Ms Dhalu said: ‘We’re confident that the size of our mobilisation here today has actually intimidated the far-right, and I think they feel that they are not confident enough to stand against us because they know that we’re going to be out in big numbers.’

Singer Billy Bragg, who ahead of the march criticised US president Donald Trump as ‘a constant reminder of the cruel realities of the politics of division’, performed some protest songs onstage at Whitehall.

He said while concerns some have about migration might be justified, ‘their solutions are not justifiable in any way or sort’.

He added: ‘Re migration, the forced deportation of our fellow citizens, we’ve seen what that looks like in the United States of America.

‘And if it does come to that in this country then we will have to be as courageous as the people of Minneapolis who stood in the streets to deny (deportations).’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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“It’s a lovely wool rug. Lovely to look at and lovely to walk on.”

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Adding a rug to a space can be a great finishing touch – whether it’s for extra colour, style or cushioning. At Dunelm, there is currently 50% off selected items, including one rug that shoppers are praising as ‘lively to look at and lovely to walk on’.

Dunelm’s half-price Elements Wave Natural Border Wool Rug is currently available from Dunelm for £49 to £229, depending on the size chosen. It is crafted from 100% wool for ‘a warm underfoot feeling’, and there are hand-carved scalloped edges for a ‘premium finish’.

Dunelm’s Elements Wave Natural Border Wool Rug features a neutral central colour, with bolder colours on the scalloped edges, making it a standout piece. To care for it, Dunelm recommends using a suction-type vacuum to ensure that rotating brushes don’t damage the wool pile.

Or, in the case of an accidental spillage, shoppers should ‘blot with a clean and dry cloth’. It is also worth noting that due to the woollen composition of the rug, there might be some fibre loss, but shoppers can trim any loose fibres with household scissors.

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For those with more traditional tastes, Dusk has the Zahra Persian Style Machine Washable Rug in the colour natural, which is ‘arriving soon’ and costs £35. This comes in two sizes and four colours, and is described as having a ‘modern take on classic Persian style’, with a detailed pattern and warm, earthy tones.

Or at Habitat, part of the Sainsbury’s Group, there’s the Habitat Scalloped Stripe Beige Flatweave Rug (120 x 170cm) for £48.75, down from £65. This features a ‘striking pattern’ and it is made from hardwearing natural fabrics, making it ‘neutral and timeless’, the site says.

But back to the Elements Wave Natural Border Wool Rug from Dunelm, shoppers have left an average overall 4.1 out of five rating. One said: “Good rug and good value, pleased with thickness and design, looks more expensive than it was.”

A second said: “It’s a lovely wool rug. Lovely to look at and lovely to walk on.”

While a third wrote: “We bought this rug for our lounge and we love it, it’s just as described and good material, have received lots of compliments.” Others left some feedback, with one writing: “So chic and looks so expensive… has a lot of wool shed at the beginning which is pretty normal of a rug this price – but looks great.”

Someone else said: “It’s a soft and cushioned underfoot rug. Only thing you should be prepared (for is) that wool rugs naturally shed, so it’s shedding a lot… but as it was only a “not polyester” option, we knew and bought it.”

The Elements Wave Natural Border Wool Rug is available from Dunelm.

Paige Rose, founder of creative agency Hapn Creative, rebuilt her brand after bricks were thrown through the window of her home, where she lives with her five-year-old son.

She said: “Last year brought a situation no business owner or parent should have to face, when my home where my young son lives was targeted.

“It was deeply unsettling, but I made a conscious decision not to allow that moment to define either myself or the business I had built with such care.

“Instead, I chose to move forward with clarity and resilience.

“It was deeply unsettling, but I made a conscious decision not to allow that moment to define either myself or the business.”

Instead, she used the experience as fuel to drive her business forward.

Over the past four years, Hapn Creative has grown from a one-woman operation into a multi-award-winning agency with a team of seven.

The company now serves clients across the UK and internationally.

Hapn Creative has also gained national recognition, winning the title of The Best Social Media Strategy in the UK by Business Awards UK earlier this month.

That brought its total to eight awards, alongside a recent nomination for a Wigan Business Award.

Rose explained: “What began as a solo venture four years ago has since evolved into a refined creative agency working with a team and clients across the UK and internationally, and receiving national recognition for our work is a moment I’m incredibly proud of.

“For me, this journey represents more than growth.

“It’s about building something with strength, integrity and intention, regardless of the challenges faced along the way.”

Hapn Creative now serves clients across the UK and internationally, helping clients achieve more than 184 million views on Instagram reels. (Image: Supplied)

Hapn Creative has delivered notable results for its clients, helping them achieve more than 184 million views on Instagram reels and generating significant ROI through social media strategy.

The agency has worked on high-profile international projects, including collaborations with global brands such as Temu, Brainzyme, and The Productivity Method.

It has also produced branding and creative work for businesses in Milan and Paris, helped a London office brand fully occupy a building through digital marketing, and produced content for Isle of Man TT riders – going on to receive recognition and appreciation from TT rider Davey Todd.

In addition to running the agency, Rose has built a network of business professionals through Ignition Networking, most recently hosting entrepreneur Vicky Owens as a keynote speaker.

She was also featured on Ms Owens’ podcast, currently ranked in the top 10 business podcasts in the UK, where she spoke about the brick attack.

As the business continues to expand, Rose said her focus remains on delivering work that is “commercially impactful and creatively elevated” while building a brand that represents a more considered, global standard within the industry.