Author: Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers is a freelance journalist based in the USA, with over 10 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. He earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Florida. Throughout his career, he has contributed to outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, and Reuters. Known for his clear reporting and in-depth analysis, Andrew delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on both national and international developments.
This Sunday, 7 September, Europe will witness a blood moon—a total lunar eclipse visible across many regions, lasting around 82 minutes, the longest since 2022. The Earth will pass precisely between the sun and moon, casting a shadow that leaves only red light refracted onto the lunar surface, giving the phenomenon its iconic crimson hue. Historically, blood moons have carried deep symbolism. In cultures from Babylon to Central America, they were often seen as omens of disaster, war, or the death of rulers. By contrast, West Africa’s Batammaliba people view eclipses as opportunities for renewal, reconciling conflicts within communities through…
Max Verstappen set a blistering pace to claim pole at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, posting the fastest lap in F1 history with a 1:18.792 effort, averaging over 164mph. He edged out McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The result marks a turnaround for Verstappen, who last year called his car an “undriveable monster” at Monza. Red Bull, under new principal Laurent Mekies after Christian Horner’s departure, will take confidence from the performance. Ferrari also impressed at their home race. Lewis Hamilton, making his Monza debut for the Scuderia, thrilled fans and qualified fifth behind teammate Charles Leclerc,…
A new ultrasound “helmet” could provide a non-surgical alternative for treating Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions, including Tourette syndrome, Alzheimer’s, depression, chronic pain, and addiction. The device targets brain regions 1,000 times smaller than standard ultrasound and could replace deep brain stimulation (DBS), which requires electrodes to be implanted into the brain. The breakthrough system, detailed in Nature Communications, can hit areas 30 times smaller than previous ultrasound devices. The helmet, fitted with 256 sources and used inside an MRI scanner, was tested on seven volunteers, precisely directing ultrasound waves to a tiny region in the lateral geniculate nucleus…
Labour’s plan to end badger culling by 2029 could succeed but requires a major push on testing and vaccination, according to a government-commissioned report. Sir Charles Godfray, who authored the review, warned that ministers have only a “small chance” of meeting the current target to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England by 2038 without significant new investment. The disease costs taxpayers and farmers around £150m a year, and over 210,000 badgers have been culled since 2013. The report confirms that badgers can spread bTB to cattle but says culling is not the only option. It recommends non-lethal measures such as…
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has begun a project to reintroduce three rare species—large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket, and white-faced darter dragonfly—once common across Lancashire and Greater Manchester’s peat bogs. These insects depend on lowland peatlands, 96% of which have been lost to human activity. LWT has been restoring habitats by rebuilding water systems and replanting specialist vegetation, and is now appealing for £20,000 to complete the project. The charity highlighted the ecological importance of the species: the butterfly pollinates plants, the cricket aids decomposition and feeds birds, and the dragonfly helps control invertebrate populations. Senior nature recovery officer…
New Zealand is racing to protect its critically endangered birds, including the kākāpō, from deadly H5N1 avian influenza before migratory birds introduce the virus. With fewer than 250 kākāpō left, even a single outbreak could be catastrophic. In a world-first trial, the Department of Conservation vaccinated 10 captive birds from five species with 500 or fewer individuals, using an H5N3 poultry vaccine. After two doses, four species developed strong antibody responses lasting at least six months, offering hope for protecting breeding populations in captivity and on offshore islands. The next step is careful deployment planning before spring migration, as vaccinating…
A quick, two-minute cheek-swab test may identify children at risk of a potentially fatal heart condition up to five years before standard diagnosis, according to new research. Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), typically a genetic disorder, is responsible for over 10% of sudden cardiac deaths in children. It occurs when abnormalities in the proteins connecting heart cells disrupt the heart’s structure and electrical activity, often striking without warning. Researchers from Great Ormond Street Hospital and St George’s, University of London found that these protein abnormalities are also present in the lining of the cheeks. By swabbing the inside of a child’s mouth,…
Oscar Piastri delivered a commanding pole-to-flag victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, widening his lead in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship, while teammate Lando Norris suffered a late retirement. From the first corner, the 24-year-old Australian led confidently, weathering light rain and three safety-car restarts to secure a flawless win. The result gives Piastri a 34-point advantage over Norris, a significant swing in the tightly contested title race with nine rounds remaining. For Norris, the day ended in disappointment. Running second, the British driver’s cockpit filled with smoke due to an oil leak with seven laps remaining, forcing him to…
A new study has found that US paediatricians often prescribe ADHD medication to very young children far sooner than recommended. Current guidelines advise that children aged four and five who are newly diagnosed with ADHD should first undergo six months of behavioural therapy before starting medication. The analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, looked at data from more than 9,700 children and revealed that 42.2% received medication within one month of diagnosis, while only 14.1% waited six months or longer. Lead author Dr Yair Bannett, an assistant professor at Stanford University, described the practice as “concerning,” highlighting the benefits of…
A new global systematic review suggests that the shingles vaccine could reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. Analyzing 19 studies, researchers found that adults who received the vaccine had an 18% lower risk of stroke or heart attack, with a 16% reduction in adults over 50. The findings, presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Madrid, indicate that vaccination may offer benefits beyond infection prevention. Experts note that preventing shingles could reduce inflammation in the body, which plays a key role in heart and circulatory conditions. While the vaccine is currently recommended mainly for older or immunocompromised adults,…
