Editor's note

Voters in France have narrowed the field of presidential candidates to two. On May 7, either political newcomer Emmanuel Macron or far right leader Marine Le Pen will be that country’s new president. Sociologist Mabel Berezin explains the significance of yesterday’s vote and the stark choice French voters will face in two week’s time.

After 13 years orbiting Saturn, the Cassini mission is shifting into its “Grand Finale,” dipping inside the planet’s famous rings where it will ultimately incinerate this fall. University of Montana’s Dan Reisenfeld describes the amazing images and discoveries the spacecraft made – including what he calls the “most thrilling moment of my professional career.”

And finally, why the fact that more people than ever are single is cause for celebration. Bella DePaulo of the University of California Santa Barbara has spent 20 years studying single people. Her conclusion? “The rise of single living is a boon to our cities and towns and communities, our relatives and friends and neighbors.”

Emily Costello

Senior Editor, Politics + Society

Top story

First round winners: Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen. AP/Christophe Ena (Macron)/Michel Spingler (Le Pen)

Surprise! Round one of the French presidential election went pretty much as expected

Mabel Berezin, Cornell University

Marine Le Pen of the far right National Front and independent Emmanuel Macron advance to the run-off on May 7.

EPA

Macron and Le Pen to face off for French presidency – but she won't be pleased with first round result

Paul Smith, University of Nottingham

After a historic battle, we now know that one of two people will be the next president of France.

The Champs-Élysées was shut after a terrorist attack on April 20. Etienne Laurent/EPA

Q&A: What role has the fight against terror played in the French election?

Eglantine Staunton, University of Leeds

The killing of a policeman in a terror attack has heightened tensions as France chooses its next president.

Politics + Society

Science + Technology

Ethics + Religion

Environment + Energy

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