Author: Abhirami Priya

California: Ferrari’s first fully electric production car, the Luce, has sold for $40 million (£29.5 million) at a charity auction in California, setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a new car at auction. The special Luce was sold by RM Sotheby’s, with the auction raising more than 35 times the vehicle’s typical price. The auction house described it as the car’s ‘first production chassis,’ featuring an exclusive finish and a range of bespoke components. All proceeds from the sale will go towards educational programmes run by the Ferrari Foundation. The identity of the buyer has…

London: The UK government has introduced major planning reforms that will make proposals to build homes near train, tram and underground stations more likely to receive approval, as ministers seek to accelerate housebuilding and tackle the country’s housing shortage. Under changes taking effect today, housing developments within walking distance of public transport stations will receive a ‘default yes’ planning approach. The government will also establish expectations for how many homes should be built around transport hubs, with ministers saying the reforms could help deliver thousands of new homes in well-connected areas. https://twitter.com/AngelaRayner/status/2089067518073663501 The changes are intended to help people live closer…

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, announced a wide-ranging set of initiatives aimed at strengthening India’s capabilities in artificial intelligence, education, sports, civil defence, semiconductor manufacturing, nuclear energy and women-led development. Among the major announcements was a plan to train one crore young people in AI skills over the next year. Modi said that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence makes it essential for India’s youth to develop the skills needed to compete and lead globally. The Prime Minister also announced free online coaching for students preparing for…

Originating in China as a martial art, Tai Chi has evolved into a mind-body practice built around slow, gentle movements, controlled breathing, physical postures, and mental focus. The movements can be adapted for people with different abilities and can be performed while standing, walking, or sitting. A 30-day Tai Chi challenge can therefore be presented as an accessible experiment: dedicate 10 to 15 minutes a day to slow, deliberate movement and see whether consistency changes the way you approach exercise, relaxation, and body awareness. Why Tai Chi? The appeal of Tai Chi lies partly in its low-impact nature. Rather than…

London: Searches for UK homes equipped with air conditioning have more than doubled this summer, as repeated heatwaves prompt buyers to place greater importance on keeping properties cool alongside traditional priorities such as location, schools and transport connections. Property website Rightmove reported a 104 percent increase in searches for homes with air conditioning compared with the same period last year. The rise came during the UK’s fifth heatwave of the summer, when temperatures in parts of England reached 38°C. Consumer research Rightmove’s consumer research also found that 87 percent of people consider a home’s ability to remain cool important when…

Tokyo, Japan: Record-breaking rainfall in Japan’s Chiba prefecture has caused widespread flooding, disrupting roads and rail services, cutting power to thousands of homes and leaving around 7,000 travellers stranded at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport. More than 360mm of rain was recorded over a 24-hour period in parts of Chiba, which borders Tokyo, during one of Japan’s busiest holiday periods. Floodwaters inundated roads and railway lines, while authorities confirmed at least four deaths and reported one person missing. One of the confirmed victims was found trapped inside a submerged vehicle. Soldiers have been deployed to assist with emergency response and relief…

Sydney: Meta has removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts it suspected were being operated by Australians under the age of 16 since the country introduced its world-first social media age restriction, the company said. Meta remarked that it had deactivated around 462,000 Instagram accounts and 294,000 Facebook accounts between the implementation of the ban in December and June. The figures represent a significant increase from January, when the company reported removing 331,000 Instagram accounts and 173,000 Facebook accounts. The social media giant said that it would continue strengthening enforcement as Australian authorities consider tougher regulatory action against platforms…

London: The UK and parts of Europe have witnessed one of the most dramatic solar eclipses in decades, with millions of people expected to have watched the rare astronomical event. Skywatchers across the UK experienced a partial solar eclipse that peaked shortly after 19:00 BST. In most parts of the country, more than 90 percent of the Sun was covered by the Moon, while coverage reached as high as 95 percent in Cornwall. Parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain experienced the full spectacle of a total solar eclipse, as the Moon completely blocked the Sun and temporarily plunged areas along…

England: Parts of the UK are bracing for the fifth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to climb as high as 38C. The Met Office has issued an amber warning for extreme heat across large parts of England. The latest spell of hot weather comes as the country continues to face the effects of drought and increasingly severe wildfires. The Met Office has warned that the UK could be heading for its hottest summer on record, following an exceptionally warm June and July. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) stated that firefighters have dealt with 966 wildfires across England…

England: Scientists in the UK are developing miniature human organs and tissues, known as organoids, from NHS patients’ cells in an effort to improve drug testing and reduce the use of animals in medical research. Organoids are tiny tissue structures that can replicate important features of full-sized human organs, including how diseases develop and how patients respond to different treatments. Researchers say they could help identify which medicines are most effective for specific patients and detect unsuccessful drugs earlier. The research will be based at a new Cambridge research hub backed by £20 million from the Medical Research Council. Scientists…