Author: Abhirami Priya

Argentina: The football used by Diego Maradona to score his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal against England at the 1986 FIFA World Cup has sold for £2.5 million ($3.3 million) at auction in the United States. Maradona controversially used his hand to send the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton during Argentina’s 2-1 quarter-final victory in Mexico. After the match, the Argentine legend famously described the goal as being scored “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.” The same match also produced one of football’s most celebrated moments. Just minutes after his…

Washington DC: US President Donald Trump took centre stage at the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, DC, on August 23, as the inaugural IndyCar street race formed part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of US independence. Trump initially appeared unsure about how to hold the green flag before his wife, Melania Trump, and Command Sgt Maj Matt Williams helped him get it right. He then enthusiastically waved the flag as the Freedom 250 Grand Prix got underway on a temporary 1.7-mile street circuit through the US capital. The event brought IndyCar racing to Washington’s streets and featured a…

London: Homebuyers are being warned about a growing form of property fraud in which criminals intercept or imitate communications between buyers, solicitors and estate agents to divert large payments into accounts they control. The scam often occurs towards the end of a property transaction, when buyers are preparing to transfer deposits or the remaining purchase funds. Fraudsters send messages appearing to come from a solicitor or estate agent, providing bank details for the expected payment. In some cases, criminals gain access to a solicitor’s email account. More commonly, they target buyers through phishing attempts and use information from compromised email…

Honolulu: Hawaii is preparing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Moke, with forecasters warning of heavy rainfall and strong winds across parts of the island chain from August 22 evening through early next week. The Big Island is expected to experience the strongest impacts as Moke passes south of the island late August 22 and into August 23. The storm is forecast to continue moving westward near the Hawaiian Islands through early August 25. National Weather Service meteorologist Casey Oswant said that the windward and southeastern areas of the Big Island are likely to see significant effects, although conditions are…

Miami: Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has been fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Soccer for violating the league’s rules prohibiting players from making contact with an opponent’s face, head, or neck. The incident took place in the 101st minute of Inter Miami’s 2-2 draw against Philadelphia Union on Wednesday in Chester, Pennsylvania. Messi was not the only Inter Miami player disciplined over the late-game confrontation. Defender Ian Fray was also fined for the same violation after tensions escalated during second-half stoppage time. Inter Miami’s Yannick Bright and Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan were both sent off as tempers flared in…

Beijing: Tesla is among several automakers recalling more than 4 million vehicles in China over safety concerns linked mainly to electronic and flush-mounted door handles, in one of the country’s largest automotive recall actions this year. Around 2.98 million China-made and imported Tesla electric vehicles are affected, including the Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X. China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said the issue could create safety risks in serious accidents if an electrical failure prevents the door handles from operating normally. In severe collisions, damage to a vehicle’s electrical system could make it difficult for occupants…

London: UK cinemas are considering restricting or banning Meta’s AI-powered smart glasses over concerns that their built-in cameras could be used to record films without permission. The UK Cinema Association (UKCA), which represents the country’s cinema operators, said major chains are reviewing their policies and could introduce measures to limit or prohibit the use of camera-equipped smart glasses inside cinemas. The glasses, sometimes referred to as ‘spy glasses,’ feature discreet cameras embedded in their frames and can capture photos and video. A small indicator light is designed to signal when recording is taking place. However, no UK cinema bans had…

London: Doctors are calling for stronger measures to reduce the appeal of vaping among children and young people after a review found links between vaping and several health concerns. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) examined around 81 studies on the health and social effects of vaping among children and young people. The review, published in Archives of Disease in Childhood, found associations between vaping and respiratory problems, including wheezing and coughing, as well as nicotine dependence and later cigarette smoking. Researchers also identified links with poor oral and dental health, disrupted sleep, mental health concerns and…

London: London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has been associated with improved lung development among children, according to a new study examining the effects of reduced traffic-related air pollution. The research found that children in London, who had significantly smaller lung capacity than children in Luton before ULEZ was introduced, experienced improvements in lung growth as the scheme was expanded. Over a five-year period, the difference between the two groups narrowed considerably. Researchers led by scientists from Queen Mary University of London followed more than 3,400 children aged between six and nine, carrying out annual health assessments from 2018 to…

Oakland, California: Meta has come under its biggest legal challenge yet over allegations that it deliberately designed Facebook and Instagram to keep children and teenagers engaged on its platforms, despite knowing about potential risks to their mental health. A jury in Oakland, California, has begun hearing arguments in a trial expected to last six weeks. The case involves attorneys representing several US states and lawyers defending Meta. During opening arguments, Megan O’Neill, a lead attorney for California, accused Meta of knowing that large numbers of children aged 11 and 12 were using Instagram while doing little to prevent them from…