Author: Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers is a freelance journalist based in Chicago, USA, with over 10 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. He graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of Florida. Over the years, he has contributed to leading outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, and Reuters. Recognized for his sharp reporting and thoughtful analysis, Andrew delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers updated on key national and global developments.
Volkswagen is close to securing a US tariff deal, CEO Oliver Blume said, as the company targets the European electric vehicle market. Trump’s trade tariffs, combined with a weak market, have already cost Volkswagen “several billions.” Even with a proposed reduction from 27.5% to 15%, Blume called the tariffs a “burden.” The automaker plans major US investments and may localize Audi production. Porsche is especially affected due to its US-made cars and a struggling Chinese market. Blume also unveiled a small, affordable electric vehicle to capture a fifth of Europe’s compact EV market. BMW is preparing a Chinese-made iX3 for…
This Sunday, 7 September, much of Europe will witness a blood-red full moon, a total lunar eclipse lasting about 82 minutes—the longest since 2022. During the event, the Earth will pass directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow and allowing only refracted red light to reach the lunar surface, creating the iconic “blood moon” effect. Historically, blood moons carried deep symbolic weight. Across cultures—from Babylon to China to Central America—they were often seen as omens of death, war, or divine retribution. In contrast, some African traditions, like the Batammaliba of Togo and Benin, interpret the eclipse as…
Max Verstappen claimed a sensational pole for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, setting the fastest lap in F1 history with a 1:18.792, averaging over 164mph, ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The result marked a striking turnaround for Verstappen, who struggled at the same track last year, calling his car “undriveable.” Red Bull’s new leadership under Laurent Mekies appears to be yielding results after Christian Horner’s departure. Ferrari impressed too, with Lewis Hamilton making his Monza debut for the Scuderia and qualifying fifth behind Charles Leclerc, though a grid penalty will drop him to 10th. Norris’s second-place…
A new ultrasound “helmet” could offer a non-invasive alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treating Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions, a study shows. The device can target brain regions 1,000 times smaller than conventional ultrasound, delivering precise mechanical pulses without the need for implanted electrodes. It may also help with Tourette syndrome, Alzheimer’s, depression, chronic pain, and addiction. The study, published in Nature Communications, tested the system on seven volunteers. Researchers directed ultrasound waves at the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN)—a tiny brain region about the size of a grain of rice—and achieved remarkable accuracy. Modulating the LGN produced…
Labour could halt badger culling, but only with a Covid-style focus on testing and vaccination, according to a new government-commissioned report. The review, led by Sir Charles Godfray, warns ministers have a “small chance” of eradicating bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England by 2038 without increased investment. Badgers are culled because they can spread bTB to cattle, a disease costing taxpayers and farmers around £150m annually. Over 210,000 badgers have been killed since 2013. Godfray said evidence confirms badgers can transmit bTB to cattle, but stopping culling is possible with greater investment in vaccination, cattle tracking, and testing. He cited Covid-19…
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has launched a project to bring back three rare species once common on the region’s peat bogs: the large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket, and white-faced darter dragonfly. These insects all rely on lowland peatlands, 96% of which have been lost due to human activity. LWT has restored habitats by rebuilding water systems and replanting specialist vegetation, and is now appealing for £20,000 to complete the work. The charity highlighted the ecological roles of the species: the butterfly pollinates plants, the cricket breaks down plant matter and feeds birds, and the dragonfly preys on smaller…
New Zealand is racing to protect its critically endangered birds, including the kākāpō, from the deadly H5N1 avian influenza before migratory seabirds potentially introduce the virus. With fewer than 250 kākāpō remaining, even a single outbreak could be catastrophic. In a world-first trial, the Department of Conservation vaccinated up to 10 captive birds from five species with fewer than 500 individuals. Using a licensed poultry vaccine, four species developed strong antibodies lasting at least six months, offering hope for safeguarding captive breeding populations and future wild releases. Timing is crucial. “If we start too soon, we’re going to lose that…
A simple cheek-swab test could detect a potentially fatal heart condition in children up to five years before standard diagnosis, according to new research. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), often genetic, accounts for more than 10% of sudden cardiac deaths in children. The condition arises from abnormalities in proteins between heart cells, which disrupt both the structure and electrical activity of the heart. ACM can develop silently, striking without warning. Researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital and St George’s, University of London discovered that these protein abnormalities can also appear in the cells lining the cheeks. Using this insight, they developed a…
Oscar Piastri delivered a masterclass performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, taking a commanding pole-to-flag victory at Zandvoort and extending his lead in the drivers’ championship, while teammate and title rival Lando Norris faced heartbreak with a late-race retirement. From the first corner, the 24-year-old Australian controlled the race with composure, navigating light rain and three safety-car restarts without ever relinquishing his advantage. Crossing the finish line, Piastri secured a 34-point cushion over Norris, a significant swing in the championship battle with nine races remaining. For Norris, the weekend ended in frustration. Running second with just seven laps remaining, his…
A large new study in the United States has found that children aged four and five diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often prescribed medication much sooner than guidelines recommend. Medical advice states that young children should first undergo six months of behavioural therapy before starting medication, but the study shows this is frequently bypassed. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, included data from more than 9,700 children. It revealed that 42.2% of young patients were prescribed ADHD drugs within one month of diagnosis, while only 14.1% began medication after six months. Dr Yair Bannett, lead author and assistant…
