Hello. Boeing's Starliner hasn't returned from the International Space Station on schedule. Pallab Ghosh explains why. Back on Earth, a tiny island in the Pacific played host to courtroom drama, as Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was set free. Jonathan Head describes the scene - and I'd encourage you to click through for Jonathan's poignant observations of his previous trip there, with the former Japanese Emperor Akihito. We also have a fascinating tale about the emperor's successor, Naruhito, who has been revisiting old haunts in the UK.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

The glitch delaying the astronauts' return

Nasa has stressed the astronauts are neither stranded nor in danger. Credit: Nasa

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were due to return to Earth on Boeing’s new Starliner spacecraft on Wednesday. But instead they remain on the International Space Station to allow for investigations into technical issues with the vessel, which had developed problems ahead of the test flight.

What went wrong?

Starliner was launched on 5 June despite there being a small leak of helium gas. Helium is used to push propellent to the thruster systems used for manoeuvring in space and slowing down to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. The leak was extremely small and engineers believed that it would not affect the mission.

How have things gone since?

Four further helium leaks developed during the mission and five of its 28 manoeuvring thrusters cut out during the approach to the space station, four of which were restarted. The return date was postponed as engineers investigated the issues. Nasa had earlier stated in a blog post that the leaks posed no safety risk to the astronauts because: "Only seven hours of free-flight time is needed to perform a normal end of mission, and Starliner currently has enough helium left in its tanks to support 70 hours."

So, why the delay?

Nasa stated that flight engineers wanted to study the spacecraft to get to the bottom of the faults before it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere. That's because while the crew capsule will parachute to the ground, Starliner’s faulty lower "service module" will burn up upon re-entry, meaning the loss of some information on what went wrong.

• Watch: Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore arrived at the International Space Station on 6 June - and made quite the entrance.

• Starliner: Want to know more about the spacecraft? Read our guide.

• In case you missed it: Read science editor Rebecca Morelle's InDepth analysis of the new space race to claim a piece of the Moon.

THE BIG PICTURE

My college friend, the Japanese prince

Keith George (right), now a lawyer in West Virginia, has stayed in touch with the now emperor (second left). Credit: Kyodo

Many of us look back on our student days with fondness: a time of freedom and friendship. Emperor Naruhito has stepped down memory lane by visiting his old haunts at Oxford University on his state trip to the UK. One of his close college friends tells us what life was like next door to the young prince.

And finally... in the UK

On Worthy Farm in the English countryside, the gates have been thrown open for the world-famous Glastonbury Festival, which runs for the next few days. It's known as much for its madness as its music. So it seems apt that Canadian country legend Shania Twain wants to borrow one of the farmyard animals on which to make a big entrance for her Sunday set.