The world has long struggled to decide how to govern a human settlement on the Moon. For example, who would own the natural resources mined from it? Now eight countries, including the UK, have signed the Artemis Accords, a set of guidelines surrounding the Artemis Program for crewed exploration of the Moon.

The US, Italy, Australia, Canada, Japan, Luxembourg and United Arab Emirates are also participating, aiming to return humans to the Moon by 2024 and establish a crewed lunar base by 2030. Yet many countries with well developed space programmes have refused to sign up – including India, France, Germany, Russia and China.

With the accords being promoted beyond the usual channels of international space law, some countries suspect a US power grab, in which Washington will set the rules and leverage lucrative financial contracts in this new 21st century frontier.

In France, millions of people are mourning the horrific death of French teacher Samuel Paty. The tragic event highlights the importance of the work of educators who are, more than ever, on the front lines of the fight for freedom of expression.

And could AI help fight COVID-19? A team of researchers are hoping that computers may glean important insights into the disease by learning to read our health records.

Miriam Frankel

Science Editor

Illustration of a future Moon base by the European Space Agency, which hasn’t signed the Artemis Accords. ESA; RegoLight, visualisation: Liquifer Systems Group, 2018

Artemis Accords: why many countries are refusing to sign Moon exploration agreement

Christopher Newman, Northumbria University, Newcastle

Some nations are concerned the Artemis Accords represent a US power grab.

Hommage to Samuel Paty: “Thank you Mr. Paty to have taught us history and freedom of expression.” Bertrand Guay/AFP

Teachers in France, on the front line of defending the values of the Republic

Charles Hadji, Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA)

The horrific death of Samuel Paty, a history and geography teacher, highlights the importance of the work of educators who are, more than ever, on the front lines of the fight for freedom of expression.

EPA-EFE

Teaching computers to read health records is helping fight COVID-19 – here’s how

James Teo, King's College London; Richard Dobson, King's College London

Decoding doctors’ writing can unlock vital health data.

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