Author: Andrew Rogers

The European Central Bank left its key deposit rate unchanged at 2%, as widely expected by analysts.The decision came during the first policy meeting after the EU and US sealed a trade deal.The deposit facility rate has stayed at 2% since June, its lowest level in more than two years.It followed eight cuts since June 2024, lowering rates from a record 4%.The main refinancing rate remained at 2.15%, while the marginal lending facility stayed at 2.40%.ECB President Christine Lagarde said inflation is near the 2% target and stable in medium-term projections.Prices rose 2.1% in August after steady 2% readings in…

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison overtook Elon Musk as the world’s richest person after Oracle shares surged by 40%.Ellison’s 41% stake is now valued at $393bn, narrowly ahead of Musk’s $384bn fortune.The jump marked Oracle’s largest single-day rise and the biggest ever one-day wealth increase on Bloomberg’s index.Ellison, 81, also holds wealth from 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 share ties to Donald Trump, though Musk’s relationship with him reportedly soured earlier this year.Oracle’s…

Poland reported that multiple Russian drones violated its airspace on Tuesday during a large-scale Russian strike on Ukraine. The Polish armed forces confirmed that drones crossed into the country, prompting immediate defensive measures. Authorities urged residents in the eastern provinces of Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, and Lubelskie to remain indoors while operations to neutralize the drones continued. Ukraine had earlier warned Poland about the approaching drones. In response, Poland scrambled its own aircraft and worked with NATO allies to deploy fighter jets and activate air defense systems. Temporary closures at several airports were ordered as radar systems went on full alert. Poland’s…

Apple will debut its thinnest iPhone at Tuesday’s showcase in Cupertino, headlined as an “awe-dropping” event. The iPhone 17 lineup will include standard, Pro, Pro Max, and a new edition called iPhone Air. Observers predict iPhone Air will be Apple’s lightest flagship phone, echoing the slim MacBook design tradition. Apple Watch series 11 and updated AirPods will also be revealed during the presentation. Rumors suggest the AirPods may feature live translation, matching a capability long present in Google’s Pixel Buds. Apple is expected to announce release dates for iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe. Donald Trump’s tariffs threaten Apple’s supply chain,…

Volkswagen is reportedly close to securing a tariff deal with the US as the company continues to navigate losses caused by Donald Trump’s trade tariffs. CEO Oliver Blume said the 27.5% tariffs on European cars and parts, announced in April, have already cost the group “several billions,” and that even a reduction to 15% would remain a burden. Volkswagen Promises Investments to Secure Lower Tariffs Volkswagen, which owns Audi, Seat, and Porsche, has pledged “massive” US investments as part of efforts to negotiate a lower tariff, with potential plans to localise Audi production and expand exports from American plants. Blume…

This Sunday, September 7, a blood-red lunar eclipse will grace the skies of Europe. The rare event, lasting around 82 minutes, will be the longest total eclipse since 2022. As Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon, only red-filtered light will reach the lunar surface, giving rise to the dramatic “blood moon.” For centuries, such eclipses carried ominous meanings. From Babylon to Central America, they were seen as harbingers of war, death or divine punishment. In contrast, some African traditions, such as those of the Batammaliba in Togo and Benin, regard the blood moon as a call for…

Max Verstappen stormed to pole position at Monza with the fastest lap in Formula One history, clocking 1:18.792 at an average speed of 164.46mph. The Red Bull driver edged out McLaren rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who settled for second and third. The result marked a major turnaround for Verstappen and Red Bull, who struggled badly at Monza last year and have been outpaced by McLaren for much of the season. “It’s not always been a good track for us … this year much better and very happy to be first,” Verstappen said. Ferrari showed promise at their home…

A new ultrasound “helmet” could revolutionize the treatment of neurological conditions by offering a non-invasive alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS), according to a study published in Nature Communications. The device, developed by teams at Oxford University and University College London, uses 256 ultrasound sources inside an MRI scanner to deliver highly precise pulses to tiny brain regions. Unlike DBS, which requires implanting electrodes deep into the brain, the helmet can target areas as small as a grain of rice without surgery. In initial trials with seven volunteers, researchers directed ultrasound to the lateral geniculate nucleus, a visual processing hub,…

Labour’s pledge to end the badger cull by 2029 is achievable but will require a Covid-style focus on testing and vaccination, according to a government-commissioned review. The cull, introduced in 2013 to combat bovine tuberculosis (bTB), has seen more than 210,000 badgers killed. The disease costs taxpayers and farmers an estimated £150m annually and can wipe out entire cattle herds. The report, led by Sir Charles Godfray, warns that the government’s target to eradicate bTB in England by 2038 has only a “small chance” of success without a “step change” in urgency and resources. It calls for expanded testing, microchipping…

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has started a project to reintroduce 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 rely on lowland peatlands, 96% of which have been lost 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 project. The charity highlighted the insects’ roles in the ecosystem: the butterfly pollinates plants, the cricket aids decomposition and feeds birds, and the dragonfly controls smaller invertebrate populations. Senior nature recovery officer…