Author: Andrew Rogers

The Vienna Choir Festival 2025 gathered music groups from 40 countries, creating a global celebration of harmony and culture. The festival, held in Austria’s capital, offered an opportunity for singers to connect, share traditions, and perform in some of Europe’s most historic venues. Over several days, audiences enjoyed diverse performances, ranging from classical choral pieces to modern compositions. Choirs showcased songs in different languages, highlighting the richness of each country’s musical heritage. Organizers said the festival aimed to promote understanding and friendship through music. Many choirs used the festival as a chance to introduce audiences to lesser-known local music traditions.…

The Paris Book Fair has seen a remarkable rise in attendance this year, with a growing number of young visitors flocking to the event. Organizers reported a 20% increase compared to the previous year. Much of this growth came from students, young professionals, and first-time attendees who were eager to explore the world of books. The fair has long been a major cultural event in France, drawing writers, publishers, and readers from across the country and beyond. This year, the atmosphere was especially lively, with many young people filling the halls, attending author talks, and participating in creative workshops. Many…

Green technology startups in Europe are experiencing a strong wave of new funding. Venture capital firms have poured a record €3.2 billion into the sector this quarter. Analysts say this surge reflects the growing demand for sustainable solutions across industries. Much of this investment is flowing to startups in Germany, the Netherlands, and the Nordic countries. These regions are known for their early support of clean energy and green innovation. Local governments have also created supportive policies, which make it easier for young companies to grow. Experts link the rise in green tech investment to both economic and social trends.…

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison overtook Elon Musk after Oracle shares surged 40% in early trading.Ellison’s 41% stake is now valued at $393bn, slightly ahead of Musk’s $384bn fortune.The rise marked Oracle’s largest single-day gain and the biggest wealth increase ever on Bloomberg’s index.Ellison, 81, also holds Tesla shares, a sailing team, the Indian Wells Open, and a Hawaiian island.He has long been close to Musk, investing $1bn in the Twitter purchase and serving on Tesla’s board until 2022.Both men have had ties to Donald Trump, though Musk’s relationship reportedly soured earlier this year.Oracle’s growth is driven by rising demand for…

Apple will reveal its thinnest iPhone ever at Tuesday’s annual event in Cupertino.The iPhone 17 series will include standard, Pro, Pro Max, and the new iPhone Air.iPhone Air is expected to be the lightest flagship, inspired by Apple’s slim MacBook designs.The company will also introduce Apple Watch series 11 and refreshed AirPods earbuds.Rumors suggest AirPods could feature live translation, closing the gap with Google’s Pixel Buds.Apple plans to announce launch dates for iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe.Trump’s tariffs may increase iPhone prices and disrupt Apple’s global supply chain.Tim Cook shifted production to India and shipped iPhones to the US to…

Volkswagen is close to a tariff deal with the US, CEO Oliver Blume said, as the carmaker targets the affordable electric vehicle market in Europe. Trump-era tariffs, combined with a weak market, have already cost the group “several billions.” Even with a planned reduction from 27.5% to 15%, Blume called the tariffs a “burden.” Volkswagen Plans US Investments The company is promising major US investments and could localise Audi production to reduce costs. Blume said talks with the US government are ongoing, aiming for a quicker resolution. Porsche Impacted by Tariffs Porsche is particularly affected as US-bound models are mostly…

This Sunday, 7 September, Europe will witness a total lunar eclipse, or “blood moon,” the longest since 2022 at around 82 minutes. The Earth will pass directly between the sun and the moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. Only red-hued light will reach the moon, giving it the characteristic crimson glow. Historically, blood moons have inspired awe and fear. Ancient cultures—from Babylon to China to Central America—saw them as ominous signs: the death of rulers, looming wars, or divine punishment. Some African communities, like the Batammaliba in Togo and Benin, interpreted the eclipse as a symbolic struggle between…

Max Verstappen claimed pole for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, setting the fastest lap in F1 history with a 1:18.792, averaging over 164mph, narrowly ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. After a challenging 2024 season, the result marks a boost for Verstappen and Red Bull under new team principal Laurent Mekies. Ferrari also impressed at their home race, with Lewis Hamilton qualifying fifth behind teammate Charles Leclerc, though a grid penalty drops him to 10th. Norris avoided a Q2 mishap to secure second, keeping the intra-team title fight with Piastri alive. With Verstappen back at the front,…

A new ultrasound “helmet” could offer a non-invasive alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions, a study suggests. The device can target brain regions 1,000 times smaller than conventional ultrasound and could also help treat depression, Tourette syndrome, Alzheimer’s, chronic pain, and addiction. Unlike DBS, which requires electrodes to be implanted deep in the brain, the helmet sends precise mechanical pulses into targeted areas. In tests on seven volunteers, researchers directed ultrasound waves at a tiny region in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), a visual pathway in the brain, achieving remarkable accuracy. Follow-up experiments…

Labour’s pledge to stop badger culling by 2029 could be achieved, but only with a major increase in testing and vaccination, according to a government-commissioned report. Sir Charles Godfray, who authored the review, said ministers currently have only a “small chance” of meeting the 2038 target for eradicating bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England without greater investment. More than 210,000 badgers have been culled since 2013 to reduce the spread of bTB, which costs taxpayers and the cattle industry around £150m annually. The report stresses that badgers can transmit bTB to cattle, but culling is not the only solution. Godfray recommended…