Author: Grace Johnson

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is back in Washington, D.C., drawing millions of visitors to celebrate living cultural traditions and diverse communities. This major annual event highlights the richness of American and global heritage through music, food, crafts, and storytelling. The festival provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to experience cultural practices firsthand and learn about different ways of life. Festival organizers say the event promotes understanding, appreciation, and connection. “The goal is to celebrate culture in its many forms and to bring people together through shared experiences,” a spokesperson said. From traditional dances to hands-on craft demonstrations, the festival…

Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, has settled a social media addiction lawsuit just days before trial. The case was set to start in Los Angeles. Lawyers announced the deal during a California Superior Court hearing. Snap later said all parties resolved the matter amicably. The settlement terms remain confidential. Other Tech Giants Still Facing Court Other defendants include Meta, which owns Instagram, TikTok parent ByteDance, and Google parent Alphabet. None of these companies have settled. The plaintiff, a 19-year-old woman identified as K.G.M., claimed platform algorithms caused addiction and harmed her mental health. Because the remaining companies did not…

Donald Trump said he will impose tariffs on European countries opposing his Greenland demand. He vowed to act “100%” on the threat. European allies immediately defended Greenland’s sovereignty. Denmark said no leader can pressure ownership of the territory. Denmark’s foreign minister rejected coercion. He said Greenland’s status will not change. He stressed the territory remains part of the Danish kingdom. European leaders repeated that stance in coordinated statements. Europe Stands United Over Greenland UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reaffirmed Britain’s position. She said only Greenlanders and Denmark can decide Greenland’s future. She rejected outside interference. Other Nato allies issued similar…

The federal government has announced a new grant package designed to support technology hubs in underserved regions, aiming to promote jobs and economic growth outside major metropolitan areas. Officials say the initiative encourages innovation, workforce development, and regional investment. The funding will be distributed to local governments, universities, and private organizations that manage or develop tech centers. Projects eligible for the grants include research labs, start-up incubators, training programs, and infrastructure upgrades. The goal is to create vibrant ecosystems that foster entrepreneurship and attract skilled talent. Economic development experts note that technology hubs can drive growth in regions often overlooked…

Last year, protein dominated fitness and diet trends. Recently, fibre has captured attention in wellness conversations. Most people still consume far too little fibre each day. Posts tagged #fibremaxxing and #fibermaxxing have reached over 150 million views on TikTok. Videos show chia seeds sprinkled on porridge. Nutritionists highlight kidney beans and chickpeas across social feeds. The NHS recommends adults eat 30g of fibre daily. In the UK, 96% fail to reach that target. Average intake remains around 16.4g per day. Women consume less fibre than men. Many nutrition experts welcome the growing focus. They say fibre finally receives the attention…

Google has filed an appeal against a landmark antitrust ruling by a US district judge. The court found the company illegally maintained monopoly power in online search. Google said users choose its services voluntarily, not because they are forced. Lee-Anne Mulholland, vice president for regulatory affairs, responded to the August 2024 decision. She argued the ruling misrepresented why people rely on Google products. Company challenges court’s view on competition Google announced the appeal on Friday and criticised Judge Amit Mehta’s conclusions. The company said the ruling ignored rapid technological innovation. It also said the court underestimated competitive pressure from rivals.…

India’s aviation regulator opened an investigation after an Air India aircraft ingested a cargo container while taxiing at Delhi airport. No passengers or crew were injured. The right engine suffered serious damage, and Air India grounded the aircraft for repairs and inspection. Flight returned after sudden airspace closure The Airbus A350 was en route to New York when it returned to Delhi shortly after take-off. Iran temporarily closed its airspace, forcing airlines to reroute flights. The aircraft landed safely on Thursday morning. After landing, it left the runway and taxied toward the parking bay with passengers onboard. Dense fog reduced…

2026 opens under intense uncertaintyThe year 2026 began amid political and economic upheaval. President Donald Trump threatened decisive action against Iran. The warning came after US forces captured Venezuela’s leader. His administration launched a criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve chair. Officials also targeted major profit centers at banks and institutional investors. These moves sent shockwaves through global markets. Stock markets remain surprisingly resilientInvestors expected a steep selloff in equities. That decline never materialized. Traders largely ignored the political turmoil. US stock indexes reached record highs early in the week. Prices later eased only slightly. Despite mounting geopolitical and economic…

Apple is making a massive U.S. investment focused on artificial intelligence, chip development, and manufacturing expansion. The tech giant confirmed plans to spend hundreds of billions of dollars across multiple states, signaling a major boost for domestic technology and production. The investment will support the development of AI systems, advanced processors, and new manufacturing facilities. Apple aims to strengthen its technological capabilities while creating jobs and enhancing U.S. leadership in innovation. Experts say the plan reflects Apple’s commitment to integrating AI across its products and services. By investing in chip engineering and manufacturing infrastructure, the company ensures faster, more efficient…

The US government has approved Nvidia’s sale of high-end artificial intelligence chips to China. The Department of Commerce announced the decision on Tuesday. Officials said they reviewed domestic chip supply before acting. The move eases previous export restrictions on sensitive technology. Washington had blocked the sales over national security concerns. Officials warned the chips could strengthen China’s technology sector and military. The new policy lifts some restrictions under strict conditions. Authorities described the change as careful and controlled. H200 processors now eligible for export The approval applies to Nvidia’s H200 processors. The chip ranks as the company’s second-most-advanced AI product.…